Overview

• President William Lai told an international forum with U.S. representatives present that any claim Taiwan had capitulated in a large-scale invasion would be false.
• Lai reiterated plans to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030 and noted recent publication of a civil-defense manual to bolster public preparedness.
• Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said all programs with the United States are proceeding as planned, emphasizing comprehensive defense-building efforts.
• The Washington Post reported that President Trump declined to ratify a Taiwan military aid package worth over $400 million, including munitions and autonomous drones, a decision it said could be reversed and that has not been confirmed by both governments.
• The statements come as Beijing steps up pressure with major drills and reasserts sovereignty claims, with China’s defense minister warning against separatism and foreign military intervention.