President Joe Biden recently approved a hefty $95 billion aid package aimed at supporting Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region, which includes Taiwan. This move is expected to bolster Taiwan's military capabilities, much to the dismay of Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory and has been increasing military activities in the region.
The aid package includes $8 billion in security assistance to counter China, with $2 billion allocated specifically for Taiwan and other U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, $1.9 billion will be used to replenish defensive equipment and services for these partners, such as training programs provided by the Pentagon.
The U.S. has been Taiwan's largest arms supplier since switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. In response to China's escalating pressure, Taiwan has increased defense spending and extended its mandatory military service period to one year.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, passed in December, will see the U.S. playing a more active role in preparing Taiwanese troops for battle. This legislation mandates the establishment of training, advising, and institutional capacity-building programs for Taiwan's military in collaboration with its government.
While it was widely known that U.S. military personnel were training Taiwanese troops, it wasn't officially confirmed until 2021 by President Tsai Ing-wen. Currently, there are 41 active-duty American service members in Taiwan, according to Pentagon data.
China has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the new military assistance for Taiwan, with the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. stating that the Taiwan question is a matter for China. Beijing has warned that it would declare war if Taiwan were to make an official declaration of independence.
Despite these tensions, polling conducted in November showed that over 80 percent of Taiwanese prefer either maintaining the status quo or declaring de jure independence at some point. President Tsai has reiterated that Taiwan is already an independent country and has ruled out the need for an official declaration of independence.
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