Taiwan Reassures Public on US Alliance Before Trump-Xi Talks
Taipei-Taiwan expressed confidence on Monday in the stability of its relationship with the United States ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as concerns grow over regional security and defense spending in the Taiwan Strait.
Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing from Wednesday to Friday for high-level talks with Xi, where the issue of self-governed Taiwan is expected to feature prominently amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly refused to renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through naval patrols, air incursions and large-scale military exercises around the island.Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the government remained in close contact with Washington and was carefully monitoring preparations for the Trump-Xi meeting.
“We have also maintained continuous communication with the United States whether through public statements from the U.S. government or through non-public channels. We are confident in the stable development of Taiwan-U.S. relations,” Lin said.“The U.S. government has repeatedly expressed that its Taiwan policy will not change,” he added.
The United States maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan but is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive capabilities. Washington has long viewed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as central to Indo-Pacific security.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait remained a priority for Washington.
At the same time, the United States has intensified pressure on allies and partners, including Taiwan, to increase military spending in response to growing geopolitical threats and expanding Chinese military capabilities.Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament last week approved a reduced special defense budget, falling short of the amount requested by the government.
A senior U.S. official said on Sunday that Washington was disappointed by the lower allocation, arguing the spending level did not fully match Taiwan’s security needs.Lin urged lawmakers to take corrective action to strengthen defense funding, saying deterrence depended on Taiwan’s ability to demonstrate credible self-defense capabilities.
“Peace depends on strength it requires demonstrating the defense capability for self-defense in order to deter aggression,” Lin said.He also accused China’s Communist leadership of accelerating military expansion and promoting authoritarian influence beyond its borders.
The Trump-Xi summit is expected to be closely watched by governments across Asia and the wider international community for indications of how the world’s two largest powers intend to manage growing strategic rivalry, particularly over Taiwan and regional security.
