The Foreign Ministry says it has no comment regarding the recent controversy surrounding former U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss and weapon sales to China.
Although Truss has been critical of China in public, private correspondence originally obtained by POLITICO reveals that the former prime minister lobbied for the export of defense equipment to the communist country.
Specifically, Truss asked Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who had first been appointed by Truss during her brief prime ministership, to expedite an export license for certain defense equipment. The license in question was for landmine disposal equipment manufactured by Richmond Defence Systems, based in Truss’ Norfolk district.
Experts say that China could use such equipment in an invasion of Taiwan. Chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Alicia Kearns says that China is a threat and that under no circumstances should China’s “capabilities in ground-penetrating radar or exploders be advanced with British expertise.”
Truss visited Taiwan last May at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry and spoke at an event hosted by the Prospect Foundation. Media reports later disclosed that Truss was paid NT$3.5 million (US$110,830) for the speaking engagement.
The ministry responded that the trip was coordinated per regulations regarding the invitation of foreign speakers. However, since the ministry is not a party to the contract for the speaking engagement, it is unable to comment on the remuneration.