TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday that if given the chance, he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump that he hoped to continue U.S. arms purchases, which he called essential for peace, while assuring people the island’s future would not be decided by external forces. Lai is marking two years in office —halfway through his term — under growing pressure from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be retaken by force if necessary. Trump’s recent narrative on Taiwan also raised concerns about the U.S.'s traditional support for the island even without formal diplomatic ties. Lai said if he could talk to Trump, he would emphasize that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was crucial for global security, alleging China was the “destroyer” of the strait’s peace. Lai said he also would tell Trump that Taiwan’s increasing defense budget was a response to threats and that arms purchases from the U.S. would be an essential means to safeguard the strait’s stability. Lai said he believes “only strength can bring peace.”
“No country has the right to annex Taiwan,” Lai said at the news briefing. “Democracy and freedom should also not be seen as provocation.”
