U.S. willing to expand military aid to Taiwan: defense secretary

Austin sees China-Solomons security pact as a 'concerning precedent' for region

20220601 Lloyd Austin

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee on defense in Washington on May 3. © Reuters

RYO NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writer

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin indicated Washington is willing to expand arms aid and military training for Taiwan in response to China's growing threat to the island.

"The United States will make available to Taiwan defense articles and services necessary to enable it to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability commensurate with the Chinese threat," Austin told Nikkei in a written interview ahead of a trip to Asia, departing on June 7.

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