US ‘very much’ understands Taiwan’s defence needs, Taipei official says — SkimNews
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- Chen Ming-chi, Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister, told reporters in Taipei on Sept 27 that the US 'very much' understands Taiwan's defense needs and the 'severe' military threat from China, even as Beijing's economy declines it keeps investing in military capacity.
- Taiwan is awaiting Trump administration approval of a US$14 billion arms sales package, the follow-up to a record US$11 billion deal unveiled in December 2025 — a sum Taiwan itself framed as evidence of its defense investment determination.
- Trump placed the latest package 'in abeyance' after his May meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing and did not mention the sale at this week's summit, telling reporters only on Sept 26 that Xi 'understands his position on Taiwan.'
- US Ambassador to China David Perdue told CNBC on Sept 25 there had been 'no change' in Trump's Taiwan policy, including on arms sales — a point Chen said was confirmed 'repeatedly' by 'American friends.'
- China has repeatedly demanded an end to US military sales to Taiwan and rebuffed Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's calls for talks, branding him a 'separatist'; the US remains legally bound to provide Taiwan means of self-defense.
Why it matters: The US$14 billion package, larger than December 2025's record US$11 billion deal, has sat in 'abeyance' since Trump's May summit with Xi. With Trump silent on arms at this week's follow-up and Chen citing repeated US assurances of unchanged policy, the delay ties arms decisions directly to US-China summit choreography rather than doubt over Taiwan's case.
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