Taiwan seeks fast approval for $14 billion US arms package

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has urged the United States to approve a proposed $14 billion arms package as soon as possible.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has urged the United States to approve a proposed $14 billion arms package as soon as possible, saying the island is determined to strengthen its defence against increasing military pressure from China. Speaking in Taipei on Thursday, Lai said Taiwan’s efforts to improve its security should not be viewed as a provocation but as a necessary step to protect its democratic system and way of life.

Lai reaffirmed that Taiwan rejects unification with China and will continue to defend its independence and democratic values. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that it does not rule out using force to bring the island under its control. In response to growing military activity by China, Taiwan has increased its focus on defence and military preparedness.

The United States remains Taiwan’s main arms supplier despite officially recognising Beijing instead of Taipei. Under US law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently confirmed that the proposed arms package is still under review, while American officials have also been assessing military stockpiles because of other global security commitments.

Taiwan’s government has pledged to raise defence spending to more than three percent of its gross domestic product this year. It has proposed a budget worth around $40 billion for new weapons, including American made military equipment as well as drones and defence systems produced locally. However, opposition parties, which control Taiwan’s legislature, approved a smaller defence budget, reducing the amount requested by the government.

Lai said Taiwan and the United States remain committed to strengthening security cooperation and improving the island’s self defence capabilities. He also accused China of increasing pressure not only on Taiwan but across the Indo Pacific region. According to Lai, Beijing has tried to influence maritime negotiations between Japan and the Philippines while continuing to expand its military presence in the East China Sea, South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

The Taiwanese president warned that China’s military activities and regional pressure have continued to grow, creating concerns for neighbouring countries. Japan and the Philippines have recently moved closer through security cooperation and maritime discussions, reflecting wider regional concerns over Beijing’s expanding influence. Taiwan continues to reject China’s territorial claims and insists that it is not under Beijing’s authority.