Taiwan held preliminary talks with the United States on its arms purchase as of what weapons it aims to buy as part of a $40-billion defence budget, Defence Minister Wellington Koo stated on Thursday.
Amid Japan and China fighting for Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te announced the new spending plan between US and Taiwan which will come into force from 2026-2033, to underscore the determination of the island nation as a rising threat against China.
In a telephonic conversation between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Beijing has said that their stance towards Taiwan remains unchanged. China, undemocratically views Taiwan as its own territory and asserts its military control over the island.
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Xi on Monday told Trump that Taiwan’s return to China was an important part of the postwar international order. The recent rift between China and Japan is because of Taiwan and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi warning China to not claim Taiwan and stop military intervention.
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Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Koo said purchases from the United States naturally constitute a significant part of the spending plans.
“We have already completed preliminary coordination with the United States on the planning for this military procurement project,” he said as quoted by Reuters.
United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier as Taiwan was formally obtained from the US Department of Defence.
Lai said in August he hoped for a boost in defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2030. But since Trump took office in January, only one new arms sale to Taiwan has been approved, a $330 million package for fighter jets and other aircraft parts announced this month.
Trump’s weapons deal with Taipei can be a part of an effort to deter China, two US officials told Reuters.