This content was originally published by Radio Free Asia, and it is now licensed for reprint.
Taiwan plans to spend 70.6 billion New Taiwan dollars ( US$ 2.2 billion ) on American arms next year, confirming recent speculation that it would make great new payments to signal its commitment to President-elect Donald Trump’s idea that it paid more for U. S. “protection”.
Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China claims to have autonomy over, heavily relies on U. S. help to store Beijing’s growing defense force, although it lacks proper diplomatic ties with the United States, which adheres to a “one China” plan.
” Taipei has signed contracts with the U. S. for 21 purchasing projects, totalling NT$ 716.6 billion, with ultimate payment scheduled to be made in 2031″, the region’s defence ministry said on Monday.
” Of this overall, nearly NT$ 373.1 billion has already been paid, while NT$ 343.5 billion remains paid and will be disbursed according to the settlement plan”, the department added.
Next month’s NT$ 70.6 billion budget may be spent on weaponry including transportable short-range air defense weapons and radar system improvements, according to the government.
In response to the intensifying U.S. China rivalry, Washington and Taipei’s relationship increased substantially during Trump’s second term and grew even more under President Joe Biden.
Following his victory in the 2016 election, previous Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen made history by making a site phone call to Trump that sparked a sturdy backlash in Beijing.
Trump furthermore strengthened relationships by increasing political relationships and increasing hands revenue, with Taiwan purchasing US$ 18 billion in U.S. weapons during his first term, an increase of US$ 4 billion over the Obama administration’s two terms.
Plainly interpersonal diplomacy
However, during this year’s campaign, Trump adopted what advertising called “bluntly interpersonal politics” and criticized Taiwan’s inappropriate military spending and its semiconductor supremacy, arguing it was” stupid” for the U. S. to offer free protection.
Additionally, the president-elect expressed uncertainty about how quickly and effectively the United States may aid in protecting the island from a Chinese invasion.
With media reports that Taiwan had approached Trump’s group regarding a potential US$ 15 billion weapons package, Taiwan reportedly made rumors that it might enter important fresh arms deals first under the incoming U.S. administration to show its commitment to addressing Trump’s concerns.
Wellington Koo, the island’s defense minister, refrained from commenting on the report, saying that communication and suggestions for essential weapons would continue under the current military-topping arrangement with the incoming Trump administration.
His government claimed on Monday that Taiwan’s purchases of American weapons were based on evaluations of foe threats and on-going international conflicts, such as the Ukraine war, as well as its own.
” Budget distributions are determined based on yearly defense funding accessibility, the progress of specific projects, and delivery schedule”, the department added.
In response to criticism from politicians about delayed shipments of U. S. hands, the government said there had been disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis, but noted developing had slowly resumed post-pandemic, with shipping timelines accelerating.
A report by the , Cato Institute, a Washington-based consider container, shows that as of August 2024, the combined price of U. S. arms sales to Taiwan that have yet to be delivered had reached$ 20.53 billion.
According to Shu Hsiao-Huang, an interact research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, some goods requested by American friends might not be in line with the country’s current needs, which caused production delays.
” Some new equipment faced integration issues, which requires system adjustments to meet customer demands”, said Shu, adding that certain weapons, such as Stinger missiles, had also become difficult to obtain due to high demand globally.
A recent proposal submitted to Taiwan’s legislature for review shows Taiwan’s weapon purchases from the U. S. included 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks, 66 F-16V fighter jets, 29 HIMARS rocket systems, and 100 Harpoon land-based missile systems.
