Taiwan pushes for US arms sales amid heightened China threat

Taiwan’s top diplomat in Washington, Alexander Yui, said the island must acquire U.S. weapons to defend itself against what he described as a “pretty high” threat from China. A $14 billion arms‑sale package remains in limbo after President Donald Trump called the deal a “very good negotiating chip” with Beijing, while the administration has approved an $11 billion package that includes HIMARS and howitzers.

President Lai Ching‑te told reporters that Taiwan’s efforts to safeguard its security and democracy should not be seen as a provocation, and he hopes a new U.S. arms‑sale package will be approved soon. Lai also vowed not to abandon plans to raise defence spending to 5 % of GDP by 2030, despite parliament cutting the supplemental defence budget and vetoing funds for domestically produced drones and missiles. The government has proposed a separate special defence package worth T$210 billion ($6.66 billion) for surveillance, coastal attack systems and small unmanned surface drones.

Both officials stressed that the United States’ security commitment to Taiwan has not changed and that strengthening Taiwan’s defence is essential for regional peace and stability.