Taiwan insists it will not be dictated by foreign powers
Taiwan has issued a firm statement that it will not be steered by foreign powers. President Lai Ching-te said foreign powers cannot determine Taiwan’s future.
In reality, Taiwan relies heavily on United States support to deter potential Chinese aggression.
AFP reported on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, Lai’s remarks come a few days after US President Donald Trump said arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a bargaining chip with China, which claims the island as part of its territory and has threatened to seize it by force.
‘The future of Taiwan cannot be determined by foreign powers, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term interests,’ Lai said in a speech marking the second year of his presidency.
Trump carried out a state visit to Beijing last week, where President Xi Jinping urged the American leader not to back Taiwan.
Since then, Lai’s administration has fought back, insisting that US policy towards Taiwan has not changed. The Taiwanese government also said that Trump had not made any commitment to China regarding arms sales to the island.
Taiwan said China is the ‘root cause’ of regional instability and that US arms sales constitute a legal commitment to defend the island’s democracy.
Taiwan Strengthens Defence
In his remarks on Wednesday (20/5), Lai said his government has increased defence spending to ‘prevent war’, not to start one. He stressed that the threats are ‘greater than ever’.
‘Taiwan must have the capacity to defend itself and to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,’ Lai said.
Lai said Taiwan is willing to ‘engage in healthy and orderly relations with China’ on the basis of equality, but insisted ‘we will not compromise our sovereignty and democratic way of life.’
In response, the Chinese Office of Taiwan Affairs described Lai’s speech as ‘full of lies and deceit, hostility and confrontation,’ according to state media Xinhua.
Reliance on the US
Since Trump took office, Taiwan has faced heavy pressure to boost self-defence spending and increase investment in the United States.
Taiwan has poured billions into upgrading its military and developing its own defence industries. Yet, Taiwan remains heavily dependent on high-tech US arms sales it would need in the event of a conflict with China.
Recently, Taiwan’s parliament approved a defence spending bill worth US$25 billion to be used for purchasing American arms.