The U.S. has approved the sale of $330 million worth of weapons to Taiwan as tensions rise in the region with China. CBS News' Nancy Cordes reports.

Taipei City

The United States has approved a $330 million sale of weapons to Taiwan, including fighter jet and aircraft parts. This is the first arms sale of its kind since President Trump assumed office, and it is intended to help Taiwan defend itself against potential Chinese aggression, as mandated by U.S. law.

The timing of the sale is notable, occurring shortly after a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and during ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. China has strongly objected to the deal, citing violations of the one China principle, but the U.S. government has not indicated any intention to reverse the decision.

U.S. approves massive sale of weapons to Taiwan

Now, the U.S. has approved a $330 million sale of weapons to Taiwan, and it includes a fighter jet and other aircraft parts. This marks the first sale of its kind since President Trump took office in January. CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes joins us now to speak about this significant development. Nancy, good to see you again this morning. Tell us more about this weapons deal and how it might impact relations between the U.S. and China, which are a bit shaky at the moment. Sure. So, it's worth $330 billion, Errol, $330 million rather. And as you said, it has to do with fighter jet parts, other aircraft parts, all meant to help Taiwan defend itself against Chinese aggression. And the U.S. has been providing this kind of military equipment to Taiwan for a long time. It's legally bound to do so, to help Taiwan defend itself. But it does come at a delicate time shortly after President Trump met with the Chinese President Xi Jinping overseas. It comes as President Trump is trying to finalize a trade deal with China. And this is the first sale of its kind since President Trump took office. So it is a little sensitive. It prompted some pushback from the Chinese government, with one Chinese spokesperson saying that the sale constitutes a serious violation of the one China principle and infringes on China's sovereignty. But nevertheless, this sale is taking place, and the U.S. government hasn't sent any signals that it plans to back down based on China's reaction, Errol. All right. Very significant. Nancy Cordes at the White House. Thank you, Nancy. Enjoy your weekend.

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