Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has called upon the United States to prioritize military aid to Ukraine amidst rising tensions between Taiwan and China. Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, Tsai underscored the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine, which has been battling Russian aggression for nearly three years.
Tsai pointed out that while the situation in Taiwan is serious, an immediate Chinese invasion might not be on the horizon. This assessment, she suggested, may provide Taiwan with crucial time to bolster its defensive capabilities. “A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression,” Tsai asserted, indicating that robust U.S. backing for Ukraine could also discourage any aggressive moves by Beijing towards the island.
While she lobbied for continued U.S. support for Ukraine, Tsai expressed optimism that Washington would uphold its commitment to supplying military equipment to Taiwan. “We seem to be a very sensitive buyer,” she remarked, pointing out that while there may be hesitations and pricing considerations involved in arms transactions, the U.S. appears to be increasingly generous in its military aid.
The specter of a potential Chinese invasion looms large over Taiwan, with Beijing continuing to assert that the island is part of its territory. The possibility of military action has not been dismissed by Chinese authorities, and heightened military activities around Taiwan have raised alarms about a potential invasion within the next few years. Concerns intensified in May when the People’s Liberation Army of China released a video depicting a simulated invasion of Taiwan.
In light of these threats, the U.S. has escalated its support for Taiwan, including the recent delivery of the first batch of Army Tactical Missile Systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. Additionally, Washington has greenlit a deal for nearly 1,000 attack drones for Taipei, although the specifics of the contract value remain undisclosed. These measures underscore the increasing military cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan, aiming to counter growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
