Bad news for Donald Trump as China slaps sanctions on 20 US defence firms due to…, Beijing warns of ‘stern response’ if…

In a major challenge for US President Doland Trump, China has announced sanctions on 20 US defence firms after Washington approved a record arms sales package to Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a statement, warned that Beijing would issue a stern response if attempts are made to provoke China on the Taiwan issue.

Why China sanctioned US defence firms?

According to the statement, China has decided to take countermeasures against 20 American military-related firms and 10 senior executives who have been involved in arming Taiwan in recent years, adding that the move is a response to the Trump administration’s approval of the $1.1 billion to what Beijing described “China’s Taiwan region”.

“The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. Anyone who attempts to cross the line and make provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China’s firm response,” the ministry said, while urging the US to to abide by the one-China principle and to “stop the dangerous moves of arming Taiwan, stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and stop sending wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces”.

Beijing also said that it will continue to take resolute measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Trump admin approves record arms package for Taiwan

China’s response comes after the Doland Trump administration approved a massive $11.1 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, pending approval by the US Congress. The arms packages comes amid heightened concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taipei, as Beijing claims the self-governing island is a part of China’s territory.

According to a New York Times report, the proposed arms package, if approved by the US Congress– which is highly likely given strong bipartisan support for Taiwan– would surpass the $8.4 billion worth of arms sold to Taiwan during the Biden administration.

The size of the proposal is likely to reassure China hawks in Washington who have grown uneasy about President Doland Trump’s commitment to defending Taiwan as he seeks to cut trade and economic deals with Beijing, the report said.

Notably, Beijing’s sanctions are largely being viewed as symbolic as most of the targeted US defence firms do not have business operations in China.

(With PTI inputs)