US firms to take hit over Taiwan weapon dealsA Taiwan fighter jet launches flares during military drills in July. Washington promised in the 1980s to reduce and eventually end weapons sales to Taiwan but insists the dispute with Beijing must be settled peacefully. Sino-US relations have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid disputes about security, technology, the coronavirus pandemic and human rights, though Taiwan has long been an irritant in relations. American law requires the US government to ensure Taiwan can defend itself and weapons sales to the island have increased in quantity and quality. China has stepped up military activity around Taiwan in an attempt to force concessions from the pro-independence administration of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Source: The Standard October 26, 2020 19:13 UTC