TAIPEI, April 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence minister on Monday downplayed the impact of Chinese sanctions on seven European companies over arms sales to the island, saying it was not the first time
Taiwan says China sanctions on European arms makers will not hit weapons sourcing
Impact and Implications of Chinese Sanctions on Taiwan's Defense Procurement
TAIPEI, April 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence minister downplayed on Monday the impact of Chinese sanctions on seven European companies over arms sales to the island, saying it was not the first time China had taken such action and it would not affect Taipei's ability to source weapons.
Details of the Sanctions
China's Commerce Ministry banned exports on Friday of dual-use items to the seven companies over arms sales to Taiwan, placing them on its export control list, in a rare case of Europe-targeted, Taiwan-related sanctions.
European Arms Sales to Taiwan
Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, gets most of its weapons from the United States. Europe has not sold any big-ticket items like fighter jets to Taipei for around three decades, fearful of raising the ire of Beijing.
Taiwan's Response to Sanctions
Taking lawmaker questions in parliament, Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said it was not the first time China had implemented such measures.
"However, I think such an action, as I understand it, does not affect our ability to continue sourcing goods through relevant diversified channels," he added, without elaborating.
International Reactions and Broader Context
European Concerns and Support
While many countries, especially in Europe, are nervous about any defence cooperation with Taiwan due to fears of Chinese retaliation, Taipei has found an increasingly sympathetic ear in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Four of the seven companies on the new Chinese list are Czech.
Previous Sanctions on U.S. Arms Makers
China has repeatedly sanctioned major U.S. arms makers over sales to Taiwan, most recently in December following the U.S. announcement of an $11 billion weapons sale package to the island.
Japan's Policy Change and Its Impact
Japan Scraps Arms Exports Controls
JAPAN SCRAPS ARMS EXPORTS CONTROLS
Potential for Taiwan-Japan Defense Cooperation
Asked whether Taiwan could start buying weapons from Japan, after Tokyo last week scrapped restrictions on overseas arms sales, Koo said the recipients of weapons exports must be countries that have signed an defence equipment and technology transfer agreement with Japan, which Taiwan has not done.
When asked whether that could happen one day, Koo responded: "In the future, no possibility can be ruled out. I think I can only say that at present, no transfer agreement exists".
Regional Reactions to Japan's Policy Shift
While countries such as the Philippines welcomed the change, China expressed deep concern.
Relations between Japan and China have been at a low ebb since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Roger Tung; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
