Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude to the U.S. government for reiterating concern over cross-strait relations in its National Security Strategy announced Dec. 4, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Apart from mentioning Taiwan’s leading role in the global semiconductor industry, the strategy placed an emphasis on Taiwan’s key position in geopolitics and global shipping, which has a huge impact on the U.S. economy. The document also noted that the U.S. prioritizes deterring a conflict over Taiwan, the ministry said.
It was also stated that the U.S. will form a defense mechanism to deter aggression in the first island chain, while calling on allies and partners in the region to invest resources collectively as part of foiling any attempt to take Taiwan by force, the MOFA added.
The Trump administration has continued to demonstrate support for Taiwan as evidenced by the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which took effect December 2. President Lai Ching-te also recently announced a special defense budget of US$40 billion, showing that Taiwan is committed to strengthening national defense capabilities.
The MOFA concluded that the special budget is also an international signal of the country’s unwavering determination to safeguard and maintain the status quo. (POC-E)
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