Taiwan Says No New ‘Stage Of Talks’ With U.S. On Arms Sales

There is no new “stage of talks” with the United States at the moment for arms sales, Taiwan’s government said on Monday.

Taiwan Must Pay For Protection

The clarification came as the island is considering how best to respond to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s previous demands that Taipei pay for protection.

Trump, who won a second term as president last week, unnerved democratically governed Taiwan, which is claimed by China, by saying it should pay the U.S. for its defence.

It further said that Taiwan had taken away semiconductor business from America.

Trump has not elaborated on what he means.

People familiar with government thinking say that it could mean Taipei takes the demand seriously with large new arms deals early in his administration.

Statement By Taiwan’s Presidential Office

The Presidential office put out a statement responding to what it said were media reports that the government planned a large arms purchase from the United States.

The office stated that in the face of increasing Chinese military threats, Taiwan and its neighbours have continued to strengthen their defence deterrence.

This “demonstrates their determination to defend themselves on their own”, it said.

Period Of Consolidation

“There has been a period of consolidation and discussion between Taiwan and the United States on military needs, but there is no new stage of discussion at this time,” the presidency added, without elaborating.

Backlog Of Weapons

Taiwan, which rejects China’s sovereignty claims, has complained of a backlog worth some $20 billion of weapons it has previously ordered from the United States.

The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

No Defence Treaty

There is no no defence treaty between Taiwan and U.S., unlike in the case of Japan and South Korea.

(With inputs from Reuters)