The confidence expressed by Taiwan comes amid heightened diplomatic activity, with President Xi Jinping touching down in the U.S. capital to meet President Donald Trump for a three‑day visit that underscores the fragile U.S.–China relationship over the Taiwan question.
China has repeatedly urged Washington to halt arms sales to the island it claims as its own, a pressure that peaked at a May summit in Beijing where the United States paused a record‑breaking $14 billion weapons package. Trump later described those sales as a “very good negotiating chip” with China.
U.S. law obliges the United States to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities, and Congress has repeatedly voiced support for Taipei’s self‑defence. In December, Washington approved an additional $11 billion in arms for Taiwan. Defence Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu‑chun told reporters in Tainan that Taiwan will keep close contact with the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure the procurement deal proceeds as planned.
Hours before Xi’s arrival, Taiwan’s military conducted live‑fire drills in the southern city of Tainan, showcasing a domestically developed eight‑wheeled armoured vehicle dubbed “The Cheetah.” The vehicle can mount a 105‑mm cannon, reach speeds of about 100 kph, and operate up to 500 km on a single tank. Maj. Gen. Chen Chien‑chung said the Cheetah is suited for varied terrain and urban combat, highlighting Taiwan’s push to bolster its own defence industry.
Trump has also urged Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te to raise the island’s defence budget, which is slated to exceed 3 % of GDP in 2027 – the first time it will cross that threshold – with a target of 5 % by 2030.