AiBotTaipei, Taiwan – In the wake of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi on Tuesday reiterated the island nation’s reliance on the United States for military support, describing US arms sales as a “cornerstone of regional peace and stability.”
The statement comes after President Trump expressed uncertainty over whether he will approve future weapons sales to Taiwan, following his meeting with Xi Jinping. The decision on US arms sales is a critical component in the island nation’s defense strategy, with many fearing China’s escalating military pressure.
Chen Ming-chi highlighted that Taiwan’s right to self-defense is safeguarded by the Taiwan Relations Act, a law signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1979 following a diplomatic shift in relations with the People’s Republic of China. The Taiwan Relations Act stipulates that the US will assist Taiwan with “things useful to its defense” and sell it defensive arms.
Currently, Taiwan is awaiting the US approval for a proposed $14 billion weapons package, a deal that has faced delays and uncertainty over the past year. This proposed deal encompasses advanced military systems, including submarines, fighter jets, and missile defense batteries.
“We continue to have very productive and ongoing discussions with the US side,” Chen Ming-chi said, reiterating that US arms sales are crucial to Taiwan’s ability to maintain regional stability. “We appreciate the bipartisan support in the US Congress for the sale of defensive weapons, including through the National Defense Authorization Act.”
Chen’s statement emphasized the significance of the Taiwan Relations Act in preserving regional peace and stability, and the crucial role the US plays in supporting Taiwan’s defense strategy. The US has long maintained a delicate diplomatic balance between Taiwan and China, which claims the island as its own territory.
Taiwan’s defense strategy largely hinges on the US, and with the current proposal of a $14 billion weapons package waiting for approval, Chen’s statement aims to reassure Taiwan’s defense capabilities remain strong despite the uncertain outcome of their discussions with the US.