Taiwan needs to continue purchasing US weapons to strengthen its self-defence capabilities as military pressure from China increases, the island’s top envoy in Washington has said, while stressing that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.
The remarks were made by Alexander Yui Tah-ray, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, in an interview with The Associated Press (AP). He said Taiwan is focusing on boosting defence spending and improving military readiness.
“We need those arms for defensive purposes,” Yui said in Washington on Wednesday. “We’re trying to increase our defence expenditure. We try to increase our ability to defend ourselves better and survive times of crisis.”
He said Taiwan cannot rely only on external support for its security. “This is our responsibility, so we will not wait and depend on the US cavalry to come and save us,” he said, adding that Taiwan is actively buying US weapons to strengthen its defence.
A proposed $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan remains under review, creating uncertainty in Taipei. The issue gained attention after President Donald Trump, following a visit to Beijing in May, said he had discussed the deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Trump administration has not yet advanced the package, despite earlier approval from senior lawmakers. Trump has described the deal as a potential “very good negotiating chip” in dealings with China.
Under US law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with defence equipment sufficient to deter aggression from China, which considers the self-governed island part of its territory and has not ruled out force to achieve unification.
China strongly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan, which has never been governed by Beijing.
Yui said Taiwan must match its defence purchases with the level of threat, which he described as “very high”, pointing to near-daily Chinese military activity around the island.
China regularly sends warships and military aircraft near Taiwan and conducts large-scale drills. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and warns against any move toward formal independence.
Yui said there has been no change in Washington’s official position on Taiwan. He added that Taipei respects the Trump administration’s approach and timing on policy decisions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said Washington’s Taiwan policy remains unchanged and that arms deals are not negotiated with China. He said the proposed package is still under review, partly due to concerns over US weapons stockpiles after recent global commitments.
A separate $11 billion arms package for Taiwan was approved in December, including rocket systems and artillery equipment.
Yui, who arrived in Washington in 2023, is now serving under the second Trump administration, which has taken a more flexible approach toward Beijing compared to earlier tensions.
Despite shifting rhetoric, he expressed confidence in US-Taiwan relations, saying policy actions matter more than statements.
“The big stick is still there,” he said.
