TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the strength of the island’s relationship with the United States on Thursday, stating that what he termed a "rock solid" partnership would continue without interruption. Lai made these comments during a visit to textile merchants in western Taiwan, mere hours after a significant phone call occurred between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding various topics, including the future of Taiwan.
President Xi, in his first communication with Trump since November, cautioned the U.S. leader to be "prudent" in supplying arms to Taiwan. This warning reflected China's longstanding position that views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland, even by force if necessary. The Chinese government has prohibited all countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including the U.S., from having formal ties with Taipei, complicating Taiwan's international standing.
Despite official U.S. policy not recognizing Taiwan as an independent country, the U.S. serves as the island's most staunch informal ally and arms supplier. This partnership saw a significant development in December when the U.S. State Department announced a historic arms sales package to Taiwan valued at over $11.1 billion, which includes vital military equipment such as missiles, artillery systems, and drones. However, this package is pending approval from Congress, which adds another layer of complexity to U.S.-Taiwan relations.
In response to the proposed arms sales, China expressed its discontent aggressively, conducting military drills around Taiwan involving air, naval, and missile units in late December. This military response underscored the rising tensions in the region, particularly given Taiwan's precarious geopolitical position.
The proposed arms sales have not only faced opposition from the Beijing government but have also sparked controversy within Taiwan itself. The island's opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), along with segments of the population, have criticized the proposed increase in defense spending to 3.3% of Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP). The KMT-controlled parliament has also obstructed President Lai's budget plan, which included a special defense budget of $40 billion, suggesting instead a significantly smaller defense expenditure.
In light of these developments, President Trump referred to his recent call with Xi as "excellent" and "thorough," providing a positive spin on the diplomatic engagement, contrary to the tension surrounding the arms discussions. He indicated excitement about a planned trip to China in April, his first during the current presidential term, which could potentially further influence U.S.-China relations.
Moreover, in the wake of the talks, Trump noted that China is contemplating purchasing 20 million tons of U.S. soybeans in the current season—a significant increase from the 12 million tons bought the previous season—alluding to potential economic cooperation amidst political tension.
