US 'very much' understands Taiwan's defence needs, Taipei official says — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Taiwan faces a severe military threat from China, and the U.S. 'very much' understands its defense needs, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi.
- U.S. has not approved a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, pending decision since President Trump paused it after his May summit with Xi Jinping.
- Chen Ming-chi stated that Washington understands Taiwan’s determination to invest in its military and that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, per repeated American assurances.
- David Perdue, U.S. ambassador to China, confirmed there has been no shift in U.S. Taiwan policy, including on arms sales, following the recent Trump-Xi summit.
- China continues to expand its military capacity despite economic challenges, according to Chen, who emphasized the ongoing pressure across the Taiwan Strait.
Why it matters: Taiwan’s security hinges on timely U.S. arms deliveries, yet the $14 billion package remains stalled seven months after Trump paused it. With China increasing military investment, any delay raises the risk of strategic imbalance in the region, even as Washington verbally reaffirms its commitment.
Ask SkimNews
