TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Saturday (Nov. 23) that the US should prioritize sending weapons to Ukraine over Taiwan as her country still has time to prepare for a Chinese invasion.
While delivering a keynote speech at the annual Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) in Nova Scotia, Tsai said a strong democratic front is needed to deter authoritarian regimes, which threaten not only democratic values but also economic and societal order.
Tsai said democracies must continue to support Ukraine as its victory would “serve as the most effective deterrence against future aggression" and also signal that intimidation or the use of force against democratic countries would result in “serious consequences.”
Tsai noted during her eight-year tenure, Taiwan's defense budget rose by over 80%—nearly 8% every year. She emphasized that this was above Taiwan's 3.74% GDP growth rate over that period.
She said this level of defense spending is the highest in the country's history. She added that spending was directed at both traditional platforms such as fighter jets and asymmetric weaponry, especially mobile land-based anti-ship cruise missiles.
During an interview after the speech, Tsai was asked about the impact on Taiwan if the incoming Trump administration were to end military aid for Ukraine and or force it to accept a peace deal in which it gave up land. Tsai said that any negotiations should respect the democracy, freedom, and sovereignty of the Ukrainian people.
Tsai said Ukrainians must approve any peace proposal. She said that the US and the wider democratic community of nations should fully support Ukraine.
When asked if US shipments of weapons to Ukraine and Israel such as Patriot missiles are affecting Taiwan's supplies, Tsai acknowledged that US stocks are being depleted but, “My thought is that they should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians.”
Tsai added, “We still have time to prepare ourselves, with the rest of the world."
