Taiwan-US ties are rock solid, the islands president says after Trump-Xi call

Published: Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 6:54 am

Taiwan President Asserts Strong US Ties Following Trump-Xi Call

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has affirmed the strength of the island's relationship with the United States, emphasizing the continuation of all cooperative projects. His statement followed a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the future of Taiwan was reportedly discussed.

According to a readout from China's Foreign Ministry, Xi cautioned Trump about supplying arms to Taiwan. China views Taiwan as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary, and prohibits countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing from having formal ties with Taipei. Despite this, the United States remains Taiwan's strongest informal ally and arms supplier.

In December, the US State Department announced a significant arms sales package to Taiwan, valued at over $11.1 billion. The package includes missiles, artillery systems, and drones, though it still requires Congressional approval. China responded to the proposed arms sales with military drills around the island in late December, deploying air, navy, and missile units.

The arms sales have also faced opposition within Taiwan, including from the opposition KMT party. Additionally, there is debate over Taiwan's defense spending, with the government proposing an increase to 3.3% of the island's gross domestic product. However, the opposition-controlled parliament has blocked the budget plan, including a $40 billion special defense budget, and proposed a smaller defense spending plan.

Trump described the call with Xi as "excellent and thorough." He also indicated he is looking forward to a trip to China in April and mentioned that China is considering purchasing a larger amount of US soybeans.

BNN's Perspective: The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region. While the US-Taiwan relationship appears strong, the ongoing tensions with China and internal debates within Taiwan regarding defense spending underscore the challenges ahead. Finding a balance between supporting Taiwan's self-defense and managing relations with China will be crucial for the US.

Keywords: Taiwan, United States, China, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, arms sales, defense spending, military drills, Lai Ching-te, geopolitical tensions

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