The recent escalation of arms sales by the United States to Taiwan has heightened tensions in the region, particularly with China, which views this move as an attempt to undermine its sovereignty. This development is deeply personal for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who considers the Taiwan issue a core interest that must not be crossed.
In response to growing concerns about China's military pressure, Taiwan is exploring a multi-billion dollar arms purchase from the US, focusing on missiles, munitions, and drones. The US has approved $18.3 billion in arms sales to Taiwan under President Trump, compared to an estimated $8.4 billion under current plans.
Taiwan's presidential office has stated that there are currently no plans for Taiwanese official Lai to transit through US territory, which had sparked concerns in Beijing. However, this move by the US is seen as an attempt to strengthen its ties with Taiwan and counterbalance China's growing influence in the region. The KMT and TPP parties have expressed willingness to engage with the US government and DPP administration on defense issues, further solidifying the US-Taiwan relationship.
The increased arms sales to Taiwan are likely to exacerbate tension between the US and China, adding new pressure on their already strained relationship.