Taiwan's Lai Says He Would Tell Trump He Hopes to Continue Arm Purchases, if Given a Chance

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump that continuing arms purchases from the U.S. are vital for peace in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that stability in the region is crucial for global security. Lai accused China of destabilizing the strait and stated that only strength can bring peace, while reaffirming that no country has the right to annex Taiwan. He also called for more cooperation between Taiwan, the U.S., and other democratic nations to promote peace in the strait. Lai marked two years in office amid escalating pressure from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has threatened military action if necessary. He rejected external interference in Taiwan’s future, stating that democracy and freedom should not be seen as provocations, and criticized China’s united front tactics that frame unification as peace. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently warned Trump during their Beijing summit that the 'Taiwan question' is the most pressing issue in U.S.-China relations, stating that clashes or conflicts could arise if the issue is not handled properly. Trump previously approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December and suggested a potential $14 billion deal, calling it a 'very good negotiating chip' with China. Lai also announced a $3.1 billion plan to modernize Taiwan’s small and medium-sized businesses and traditional industries, leveraging the island’s tech sector—including AI servers and semiconductor manufacturing—to drive economic transformation. Despite Taiwan’s tech boom, concerns persist about over-reliance on chipmakers and potential risks if the AI market faces a downturn. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded to Lai’s remarks by criticizing his recent statements, which China views as provocative. The exchange underscores deepening tensions between Taipei and Beijing, with both sides adopting hardline stances on sovereignty and security.