McCain would like to see expanded Taiwan arms deal

GOP presidential nominee John McCain on Tuesday lauded the Bush administration for seeking to sell weapons to Taiwan, but the Arizona senator also said the arms deal does not go far enough. 

{mosads}On Friday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress that the U.S. plans to sell defensive weapons worth $6.4 billion to Taiwan. McCain, in a statement released by his campaign, said the proposal had been “on hold for too long” and applauded the DSCA’s decision to move forward.

However, the Arizona senator expressed his disappointment that the arms package does not include fighter aircraft and submarines.

“I urge the administration to reconsider this decision, in light of its previous commitment to provide submarines and America's previous sales of F-16s,” McCain stated. “These sales — which could translate into tens of thousands of jobs here at home — would help retain America’s edge in the production of advanced weaponry and represent a positive sign in these difficult economic times.”

McCain added that he would continue the practice of selling weapons to Taiwan, which is a point of contention between the U.S. and China.

“I have long supported such sales in order to strengthen deterrence in the Taiwan Strait and to help preserve the peace,” McCain said. “American interests in Asia are well-served through faithful implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act, and if I am fortunate enough to be elected president, I will continue the longstanding and close ties between our peoples.”