TAIPEI — Taiwanese officials are doubling down on self-defense initiatives and indigenous defense technology as Chinese President Xi Jinping escalates threats against the island. At the same time, former President Donald Trump’s ambivalence toward U.S. arms sales to Taiwan has raised concerns about the island’s ability to deter an invasion.
A Delicate Balance
Luo Wen-jia, secretary-general of the Straits Exchange Foundation, emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to neither provoking China nor allowing itself to be trampled. 'Taiwan needs to strengthen our own self-defense,' Luo stated. 'We also have to think about Taiwan’s uniqueness, our geopolitics, and what kind of risks will arise.' The SEF, which handles civil and business affairs between Taiwan and China, is located just blocks from Taiwan’s national defense ministry, underscoring the island’s readiness to defend itself.
Trump’s Skepticism
Trump recently cast doubt on the effectiveness of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, suggesting that the island’s proximity to China makes it a difficult ally to defend. 'When you look at the odds, China is a very powerful, big country. That’s a very small island,' Trump told Fox News. Despite bipartisan support in Washington for arming Taiwan, Trump’s administration has delayed a $14 billion arms package, leaving Taiwanese officials to focus on bolstering their own defenses.
China’s Growing Threat
Xi Jinping has instructed the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for a potential takeover of Taiwan by 2027. While experts debate the feasibility of this timeline, China has ramped up military pressure, including incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone over 3,000 times in 2024. Taiwan’s military has responded with live-fire beach defense drills and a whole-of-society approach to defense, inspired by Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression.
Taiwan needs to strengthen our own self-defense. We need to make adjustments in terms of national defense.
- Luo Wen-jia, Straits Exchange Foundation
Despite the challenges, Taiwanese officials and citizens remain focused on preparedness and optimism. 'We do know that, given this hostility and difficult situation, we still need to be optimistic,' Luo added. 'Of course we do not want to see war.'