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US President Joe Biden's recent approval of an $80 million grant to Taiwan for the acquisition of American military equipment has drawn strong disapproval from China, which stated that it "deplores and opposes" the move. 

At first glance, this sum might seem relatively modest, amounting to less than the cost of a single modern fighter jet. Taiwan has already committed to purchasing over $14 billion worth of US military equipment. Does an additional $80 million really make a significant difference?

However, there's a notable distinction here. The $80 million is not a loan but comes directly from American taxpayers. This marks a significant shift, as it's the first time in over 40 years that the United States is using its own funds to supply weapons to a region it officially doesn't recognize. This is being carried out through a program known as foreign military finance (FMF). Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, FMF has been instrumental in delivering around $4 billion in military aid to Kyiv.

This program has also channeled billions of dollars to other nations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, and Egypt, but it has historically been restricted to countries or organizations recognized by the United Nations. Taiwan doesn't fall into that category.

For several decades, the US maintained its strategic ambiguity in its relationship with Taiwan, selling a carefully measured amount of weaponry to enable Taiwan to defend itself against potential Chinese aggression without destabilizing US-China relations. The shift in the military balance across the Taiwan Strait over the last decade has made this strategy less viable. While Washington maintains that its policy hasn't fundamentally changed, there are clear indications of a redefined relationship between the US and Taiwan, particularly with the urgency of rearming Taiwan, which faces a significant military imbalance against China.

According to Wang Ting-yu, a legislator from the ruling party in Taiwan with close ties to President Tsai Ing-wen and US Congressional leaders, the $80 million could be just the beginning, with potential commitments reaching up to $10 billion over the next five years. Unlike traditional arms deals that can take up to a decade, FMF allows the US to provide weapons directly from its existing stockpiles, and since it uses US funds, it doesn't require the same approval process.

Taiwan is in dire need of military enhancement as it faces numerous challenges, including an outdated army structure, insufficient modern missile systems, and undermanned frontline units. To address these issues, the US is also taking on the task of retraining Taiwan's military.

Given these developments, there is a growing consensus in Washington that Taiwan is running out of time to strengthen and modernize its military capabilities. The island is transitioning to a "fortress Taiwan" strategy that focuses on ground troops, infantry, and artillery to repel potential invasions and engage in urban warfare if necessary. However, this shift also highlights the need for Taiwan to overhaul its outdated army and doctrine.

Recent geopolitical changes, including China's assertiveness and Russia's actions in Ukraine, have disrupted earlier assumptions about Taiwan's security. Lessons from Ukraine's conflict have underscored the significance of artillery in modern warfare and highlighted Taiwan's vulnerabilities. This has prompted Washington to intervene and assist in the training and preparation of Taiwan's military.

Taiwan's ability to deter China is now seen as a matter of international concern, and the global community's stance on Taiwan is becoming more critical. China's expansionist actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea have led to increased military budgets and regional alliances, which are reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

In Washington, there is an ongoing debate on the extent of US support for Taiwan. Some argue that public commitments from the US could provoke China, while others stress the necessity of bolstering Taiwan's defense capabilities. As a result, the term "strategic ambiguity" is used to describe the delicate balance of simultaneously arming Taiwan while not making overt public declarations of support.