Taiwan presses for US arms sales as China threat grows

Taiwan needs to acquire more American weapons to strengthen its defenses against growing military pressure from China, the island’s top representative in Washington said, while expressing confidence that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.

Alexander Yui, head of Taiwan’s Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, said Taipei is seeking to boost defense spending and enhance its ability to withstand a potential crisis. His remarks come as a proposed $14 billion US arms package remains under review following President Donald Trump’s discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year.

“We need those arms for defensive purposes,” Yui told The Associated Press. “We’re trying to increase our defense expenditure and our ability to defend ourselves better.”

Although the United States does not formally recognize Taiwan, it remains the island’s most important security partner and weapons supplier. Under US law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with sufficient military equipment to help deter aggression from China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governed island and has vowed to achieve unification, by force if necessary.

Yui stressed that Taiwan is determined to take primary responsibility for its own defense.

“This is our responsibility. We will not wait for the US cavalry to come and save us,” he said. “That’s why we’re willing to acquire US equipment and arms to make ourselves stronger.”

China has intensified military activity around Taiwan in recent years, regularly sending warships and military aircraft near the island. Yui said the threat level from Beijing remains high and argued that arms sales should reflect that reality.

“First and foremost, we are not the aggressors,” he said. “It is the People’s Republic of China that is sending planes and ships and trying to undermine Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.”

Despite concerns that the proposed $14 billion arms package has stalled, Yui said he has seen no change in Washington’s longstanding position toward Taiwan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently told lawmakers that American policy remains unchanged and that arms sales decisions are not negotiated with Beijing.

Rubio said the package is under review rather than delayed, citing concerns over the availability of US weapons stockpiles following recent military commitments elsewhere.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has also urged Washington to approve the arms purchase as soon as possible, while maintaining close communication with the Trump administration.

China, meanwhile, reiterated its opposition to US weapons sales to Taiwan. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said attempts by Taiwan to pursue independence through American support and military means would lead to “a dead end.”

Yui acknowledged that President Trump’s approach to China and Taiwan can appear unpredictable but said Taipei remains confident in the strength of US-Taiwan relations.

“It’s important to look at the actions, not just the rhetoric,” Yui said. “The big stick is still there.”