Taiwan parliament authorises government to sign stalled US arms

Taiwan’s parliament on Friday authorised the government to sign U.S. agreements for four arms sales packages, after officials warned that Taipei would go to the back of the line if it missed the deadline. The back and forth on Taiwan’s ⁠defence spending has provoked concern in the United States, as it is the most important international backer and arms supplier of the Chinese-claimed island, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. President Lai Ching-te’s government has tried to get parliament to pass $40 billion in extra defence spending but the opposition, which controls the most seats, says the proposals are unclear, and it cannot be expected to pass “blank cheques” despite supporting defence. Both opposition parties have come up with their own, less expensive proposals, but the defence ministry has said the letters of offer and acceptance for the weapons with the United States have to be signed or Taiwan would lose its place in the production and delivery queue. After lawmak