US Announces Plans To Keep Taiwan Subsidized Until 'Forever'
The Independent breathlessly reported Donald Trump's colossal $11bn weapons sale to Taiwan, hailed as 'the largest-ever.' This heralds a new era of 'security' for the island, dwarfing previous Biden-era packages. (Because nothing says 'peace' like a massive arms build-up.) The underlying message is clear: US military contractors, who saw record profits during Trump's previous term, are salivating.
While mainstream outlets focus on geopolitical implications, they conveniently forget the consistent pattern. From Afghanistan to Ukraine, and indeed, Taiwan, U.S. foreign policy has often centered around fueling defense industry coffers. Lockheed Martin's stock, for instance, has historically soared with every saber-rattle, delivering generous returns for shareholders. One might question if
'Taiwanese sovereignty' is truly the priority, or if it's merely a convenient pretext for another lucrative arms transaction. After all, how many 'defensive' weapons turn into offensive capabilities, and how many are truly about defense when the principal supplier benefits from continuous conflict?