Taiwan will not present a letter of request for the procurement and acquisition of any specific items of military hardware without prior consensus with the US, a Taiwanese official said on Thursday.
“Zero surprise is a key principle for our US policy and we will not formally request a price quote for advanced F-16C/D jet fighters until we have reached a consensus with the US authorities,” Leo Lee (李澄然), Taiwan’s deputy representative to the US, said at a routine press briefing.
While Taiwan needs the new jets to beef up its air force, Lee said, the country will not formally present a letter of request without first seeking a consensus with Washington.
JET UPGRADE
Lee said Taiwan has already presented a letter of request to upgrade its existing F-16A/B jet fighters in order to strengthen its air defense capabilities.
Noting that the US is still evaluating that deal, Lee said Taiwan hopes a final decision could be made as soon as possible.
Moreover, he added, Taiwan will definitely make funds available for all arms procurement deals with the US.
FOOD SCARE
On other issues, Lee said Taiwan has continued to offer the US authorities updates on plasticizer contamination in food and beverages that came to light in May.
Citing a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement, Lee said Taiwan has informed the FDA that as of June 21, 57 types of products believed to have been shipped to the US might be contaminated with phthalate plasticizers, specifically diethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP).
JUICES
The products are primarily fruit juices (grape, lychee, mango, passion fruit, lemon, blue coral, kiwi, melon, strawberry, passion fruit, pineapple and peach), syrups, jam, drinks and a dietary supplement, according to an FDA statement.
The Taiwanese authorities have also identified that the products in question were exported to the US by eight companies.
The FDA has lauded Taiwan’s transparency and its handling of the food scare, Lee said.
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