US-Taiwan Ties Remain Strong as Taipei Urges Timely Arms Deliveries

Taiwan’s top representative in Washington said US-Taiwan relations remain strong following last month’s summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, while urging Washington to ensure timely delivery of defense equipment to the island.

Alexander Yui, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States, told a symposium Wednesday that Washington had assured Taipei there was no change in its Taiwan policy. He said maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait requires credible deterrence backed by military investment, training and reliable weapons deliveries.

Trump has delayed approval of a proposed $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan as he seeks to preserve warmer relations and a fragile trade truce with Beijing. The delay follows an $11 billion arms package approved in December. Trump previously described the pending package as a valuable negotiating tool in discussions with China.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly demanded an end to US weapons sales to Taipei. Although Washington does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, US law requires it to provide the island with the means necessary for self-defense.

Yui welcomed the recent arrival of Taiwan’s first two new F-16 fighter jets as evidence of continued progress in defense cooperation. He said Taipei’s security preparations are not focused on a specific timeline, despite debate over whether China could take military action in 2027, 2028 or later.

Instead, Taiwan’s priority is to become stronger, more resilient and increasingly difficult to coerce, Yui said.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, speaking at the same event by video, described Taiwan and the United States as increasingly interconnected partners, pointing to cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and supply-chain security.

Lin also highlighted Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s major investments in Arizona. TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, has committed tens of billions of dollars to manufacturing facilities in Phoenix, supported by US subsidies aimed at expanding domestic semiconductor production.

The investments underscore growing economic and strategic ties between Washington and Taipei as both sides strengthen cooperation in technology, supply chains and Taiwan’s defense capabilities.