TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan needs American weapons to defend itself as China increases military pressure, the country's de facto ambassador to the US Alexander Yui Tah-ray (俞大㵢) said Thursday.
Speaking with news agency AP, Yui said Taiwan is increasing defense spending to improve its ability to survive a crisis. “We need those arms for defensive purposes,” Yui said, adding that Taiwan must take responsibility for its own defense.
Yui said Taiwan is willing to buy US military equipment to make itself stronger. He said any weapons sales should match the level of threat Taiwan faces from China.
The representative to the US noted that Taiwan is not the aggressor. He said China is the side sending military aircraft and ships to menace Taiwan.
A proposed US$14 billion (NT$438.82 billion) arms sale package to Taiwan has been delayed under US President Donald Trump’s administration. After returning from Beijing in May, Trump said he had discussed the arms package in detail with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The delay has raised concern in Taiwan and among some US lawmakers. However, Yui said he had seen no change in Washington’s position on Taiwan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated this when he told lawmakers earlier this month that US policy on Taiwan had not changed. He said Washington does not consult China on arms sales to Taiwan.
Rubio said the proposed arms package was under review and had not been blocked. He said the US must also consider its own weapons stocks and procurement needs.
Yui said Taiwan would respect the Trump administration’s timing on any announcement. He said people should judge US policy by its actions, not only by public remarks.
