However, the threat posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against Taiwan has never been greater. Xi Jinping is focusing every element of the PRC’s national power to control Taiwan. Xi hopes to achieve this through illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions that undermine Taiwan’s will to resist. These measures include regularly operating inside Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, increasing incursions across the median line, harassing fishing vessels, and cutting undersea cables. At the same time, Xi remains willing to use military force to achieve his goal. As evidence of this, large-scale People’s Liberation Army exercises in October 2024, April 2025, and December 2025 demonstrated its growing preparations for a blockade or invasion.
In response to this worsening threat environment, both the United States and Taiwan must do more to deter PRC aggression. For our part, the U.S. must address the massive backlog in weapons deliveries to Taiwan. You have our commitment to continue to work together to ensure Taiwan gets the capabilities it needs, faster. Likewise, we need Taiwan to step up with us. We commend Taiwan for making important progress in strengthening its military readiness, reserve forces, and asymmetric defense capabilities. Nevertheless, we fear that without significant increases in Taiwan’s defense spending at levels reflected in President Lai’s proposed special budget, this progress will be insufficient.
"Both the #US and #Taiwan must do more to deter #PRC aggression. For our part, the 🇺🇸 must address the massive backlog in #weapons deliveries to 🇹🇼. You have our commitment to continue to work together to ensure 🇹🇼 gets the capabilities it needs, faster. Likewise, we need Taiwan to step up with us."