Key facts
- Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, Alexander Yui, stated US-Taiwan relations are robust.
- Yui stressed the need for timely delivery of US defense equipment to Taiwan.
Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, Alexander Yui, stated that US-Taiwan relations remain robust following the summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Yui emphasized the importance of timely US defense equipment delivery for deterrence, noting the arrival of new F-16 jets as a positive step.
The robust US-Taiwan relationship and the timely delivery of defense equipment are critical for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, particularly amid ongoing tensions with China.
Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, Alexander Yui, said on Wednesday that ties with the United States remain robust following the summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month. Yui stressed the importance of timely delivery of US defense equipment to maintain peace through strength.
Trump has delayed approval of a $14 billion arms sales package to Taipei, which he described as a "very good negotiating chip" after his May meeting with Xi. This comes after an $11 billion package was approved in December. China views Taiwan as its territory and has called for an end to US arms sales.
Yui stated that Washington has made clear there has been no change in its position toward Taiwan and that US-Taiwan relations are robust. He emphasized that for deterrence to be credible, Taiwan's investments must be matched by timely delivery, effective training, and the ability to translate these into real deterrence capabilities.
The recent arrival of the first two new F-16 fighter jets in Taiwan was highlighted by Yui as a welcome example of progress in strengthening Taiwan's self-defense, noting that US-Taiwan cooperation will remain central to these efforts. Yui, speaking while Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and former President Tsai Ing-wen were visiting the US, also said Taiwan's preparedness is not built around any single date, referencing various opinions on potential timelines for Chinese military readiness.
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