US ramps up military aid to Taiwan

The United States is seeking to accelerate the delivery of military equipment to Taiwan, particularly gear that is critical for conducting asymmetric warfare. 

This statement was made by Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), in an interview with the Taipei newspaper Liberty Times. According to Greene, accelerating the delivery of weapons related to asymmetric warfare is particularly important for ensuring Taiwan's defence capabilities in the face of a growing threat from China.

Focus on Taiwan's defence after the war in Ukraine

Greene also noted that after the end of the war in Ukraine, the US would refocus its efforts on supporting Taiwan by providing the necessary defensive equipment and resources. In turn, Taiwan relies heavily on US military aid to defend itself against China, which continues to assert its claim to the island, ready to take control by force if necessary.

Delivery slowdown due to the situation in Ukraine

However, in recent years, the delivery of military equipment to Taiwan has noticeably slowed down. This is due to the US being forced to focus on supporting Ukraine, which faced a full-scale invasion by Russia. Another cause of the delays was the heightened tension in relations between Washington and its allies, including Taiwan, following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky at the White House. In response to doubts about US commitments to allies, Washington temporarily froze military supplies to Ukraine, awaiting confirmation of its interest in a peace process.

Taiwan hopes to strengthen security ties with the US

In response to these events, Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, François Chi-chun Wu, expressed hope for strengthening security ties with the United States. According to him, Taiwan "prays" for the maintenance and development of defence cooperation with the US to effectively counter the increasing pressure from China.

China continues to intensify pressure

China, for its part, is actively intensifying military pressure on Taiwan. Beijing is conducting large-scale military exercises near the island and regularly violating its airspace, which increases tension in the region. In recent weeks, Chinese authorities have made tougher statements regarding Taiwan. Wang Huning, a senior PRC official, emphasised the need for the "inevitable reunification of the motherland", indicating China's intention to continue its policy towards Taiwan.