India, Dec. 21 -- Donald Trump's approval of an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, even as he prepares for a trip to China, underscores the paradox at the heart of U.S. policy: balancing engagement with Beijing while reinforcing deterrence against its ambitions toward Taiwan.

The Trump administration has authorized the largest-ever U.S. arms package to Taiwan, valued at $11.1 billion. The deal includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, drones, and other equipment-a comprehensive suite designed to strengthen Taiwan's asymmetric defense capabilities Aljazeera +2. This announcement comes just days before Trump's scheduled visit to China, a juxtaposition that highlights the dual-track nature of American strategy i...