Why the largest-ever US arms sale to Taiwan has Beijing seeing red

On December 18, the United States finalized its largest-ever arms sale to Taiwan, valued at over $11 billion. This unprecedented deal includes a mix of defensive and offensive weaponry, such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), kamikaze drones like the Altius-600 and 700M, and MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems capable of striking targets up to 190 miles away. These advanced systems surpass previous arms deals, including the $9 billion package in 2019, and notably provide Taiwan with capabilities that could reach mainland China, crossing Beijing’s declared “red line” related to its “One-China” principle. In response, China imposed sanctions on 20 major US defense firms and 10 executives involved in the arms trade, including companies like Northrop Grumman, Boeing’s St. Louis defense unit, and Anduril Industries, whose founder Palmer Luckey was personally sanctioned. China’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that Taiwan is a core interest