TAIWAN STRAIT — The Pentagon sent two U.S. ships through the Taiwan Strait, a move that might amp up already tense U.S.-China relations.<br /><br />CNN reports that on Monday, the USS Curtis Wilbur, a guided missile destroyer, and the USS Antietam, a guided missile cruiser, conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait, to demonstrate 'U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific', according to the deputy spokesman of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.<br /><br />The two U.S. Navy warships reportedly sailed from south to north through the 110-mile waterway that separates Taiwan from China.<br /><br />U.S. Defense officials told CNN that multiple Chinese warships followed the vessels during the transit, but kept at a safe distance.<br /><br />America's show of force comes amidst an ongoing trade war with Beijing, as well as tensions between the two countries over China's militarization of the South China Sea.<br /><br />Late last month, a U.S. guided missile destroyer passing near the Spratlys had to maneuver to avoid colliding with a Chinese ship that came within 45 yards of its bow.<br /><br />China is unhappy with American support of Taiwan, in particular a $330 million arms sale package to the island nation.<br /><br />While the U.S. officially adheres to Beijing's 'One China Policy', the Trump administration has sought to forge closer ties with Taiwan.
