US Diplomat in Taiwan Emphasizes Need for Homegrown Defense

The leading U.S. diplomat in Taiwan has underscored the necessity for the island to acquire American-made weaponry for its self-defense. This comes in the wake of increased threats from China, which maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory. Alexander Yui Turley, who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Mission to the U.S., expressed in an interview that he perceives no shift in U.S. policy regarding Taiwan.

Currently, a proposed $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan is on hold, following President Donald Trump’s return from discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. The negotiations have stirred unrest within Taiwan and concern among U.S. lawmakers.

“We require these arms for defense,” Turley noted. “Our defense budget is rising, and we are enhancing our capacity to protect ourselves during crises.”

Despite the approval from senior lawmakers earlier this year, the Trump administration has yet to proceed with the arms sale, with Trump mentioning it as a “valuable bargaining tool” in discussions with China.

U.S. law mandates the provision of adequate military resources to Taiwan to deter potential aggression from China, which has vowed to reclaim Taiwan, possibly through force. The U.S. arms sales to the island remain contentious in Beijing, which claims Taiwan has never been governed by its authority.

Taiwan’s Responsibility for Its Defense

Yui stated Taiwan acknowledges the need to defend itself. “We can’t depend on the U.S. Army to rescue us. This is on us,” he remarked, explaining that Taiwan is proactively seeking to enhance its defense capabilities with American weapons.

He stressed that arms purchases must align with the level of threat posed by China, which he considers to be “fairly significant.” Yui clarified, “We are not the aggressors. It is China that is deploying its military assets, undermining Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.”

China has been consistently sending naval and aerial forces near Taiwan, holding extensive military drills in the vicinity.

Beijing sees Taiwan as a vital issue and often criticizes pro-independence movements for destabilizing the region. The Chinese Embassy in Washington has yet to provide a response regarding the recent developments.

Continued US Support for Taiwan

Yui stressed that there has been no alteration in the U.S. stance on Taiwan, affirming that the Taiwanese government is attuned to the pace of announcements from the Trump administration.

The topic of arms sales enjoys strong support in Congress, as lawmakers have raised concerns during a recent hearing featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reassured that U.S. policy remains unchanged, dismissing any discussions with China about the arms deals.

Rubio added that the arms sale proposal is under consideration, taking various factors into account, including the current inventory of U.S. weapons, which has been affected by the recent conflicts.

Earlier this year, the administration also approved a separate $11 billion arms deal to Taiwan, incorporating systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Navigating Political Changes

Yui, who began his role in Washington in late 2023, is now adapting to the dynamics of a second Trump term. The administration has adopted a more accommodating approach toward China following a contentious trade war.

Trump has stirred some controversy by potentially flouting a longstanding agreement made during the Reagan era about not engaging in preliminary arms sale talks with Beijing. He has also indicated he could reach out to Taiwan’s president, which would break a significant precedent.

The Pentagon’s National Defense Strategy recently emphasized a commitment to containing China through force rather than direct confrontation, planning to bolster defenses in the Pacific, including around Taiwan.

Despite some concerns about Trump’s unpredictable communications, Yui remains optimistic about the ties between Taiwan and the U.S. “It’s essential to focus on actions rather than just words,” he asserted. “The resolve is still very much present.”