As China turns its attention toward rebuilding its fragile relationship with former President Donald Trump, Taiwan is taking bold steps to assert its independence and defend itself against Chinese influence. Led by President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan is using this moment of Chinese distraction to toughen its stance and strengthen its defenses. The moves have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, but Lai’s administration believes this is the right time to act.

President Lai is taking calculated risks. His government is launching a wide-ranging crackdown on what he describes as Chinese infiltration, bolstering Taiwan’s military capabilities, and signaling a desire to build a strong working relationship with the new Trump administration. The goal is to secure Taiwan’s position in the region while China is focused on its economic and diplomatic struggles with the United States.

Declaring China a “Foreign Hostile Force”

On March 13, 2025, Lai made headlines across Asia when he officially labeled China a “foreign hostile force” under Taiwan’s anti-infiltration law. Speaking after a national security meeting, Lai said that China had taken advantage of Taiwan’s openness and freedom to recruit “members of Taiwan’s gangs, media, political parties, armed forces and police” in order to “divide, destroy and subvert us from within.”

To counter what Lai describes as an aggressive campaign of espionage and influence, he announced new security measures. These include tighter immigration controls on individuals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, the revival of Taiwan’s military court system to prosecute traitors within the military, and plans to issue new guidelines for Taiwanese entertainers working in China. Lai argued that the threat from China had become so serious that “we have no choice but to take even more proactive measures.”

Beijing’s response was swift and hostile. A spokesperson from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office condemned Lai as a “destroyer of cross-strait peace” and warned that if “Taiwan independence separatist forces dare to cross the red line,” China would have “no choice but to take decisive measures.” The spokesperson added, “Those who play with fire will surely be burned.”

Despite the warnings, Lai appears determined to stay the course. According to David Sacks of the Council on Foreign Relations, “The best guess is that he assessed that, if he was going to do this, he should do it at a time when China doesn’t want something to complicate its discussions with the United States.”

Boosting Taiwan’s Military Spending

Taiwan is also responding to rising tensions by increasing its defense budget. In a March 21 speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, President Lai announced that Taiwan’s military spending would exceed 3 percent of its gross domestic product. He declared, “We will continue to reform national defense. Our administration is determined to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of the GDP.”

Currently, Taiwan spends about 2.45 percent of its GDP on defense. The new commitment will help fund the purchase of advanced military equipment, much of it from the United States. It will also support a longer period of mandatory military service for Taiwanese citizens, increasing from four months to one year, and provide higher salaries for active service members.

Lai’s speech was clearly aimed at reassuring critics, both at home and in Washington, who believe Taiwan has not done enough to prepare for a possible invasion by China. During his first term, President Trump repeatedly called on Taiwan to contribute more to its own defense, even suggesting that Taiwan should pay the United States for protection. He demanded that Taiwan raise defense spending to as much as 10 percent of GDP, a level far above what most American allies spend.

Seeking Arms Deals with the Trump Administration

In addition to boosting its military budget, Taiwan is working to strengthen its relationship with the returning Trump administration through new weapons purchases. Reports from the Financial Times indicate that Taiwan is in discussions to buy up to $15 billion worth of U.S. arms, including high-tech systems such as an Aegis-class destroyer and possibly F-35 fighter jets.

During Trump’s first term, the United States approved $21 billion in arms sales to Taiwan across 11 separate deals. By comparison, the Biden administration approved $7 billion. Taiwanese leaders may now see an opportunity to gain access to systems that were previously off-limits.

Although Taiwan’s government has denied having a “shopping list,” experts suggest that the scale of the proposed purchases is intended to make a strong impression. Su Tzu-yun, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said Taiwan is hoping to obtain advanced weapons that will demonstrate to both China and the U.S. that it is serious about defense.

Some American officials have pushed for Taiwan to focus on asymmetric warfare tools that are better suited to defending a smaller island nation against a much larger adversary. These include mobile missile systems and anti-ship weapons that are less expensive and harder to target. However, big-ticket items like F-35s and warships still carry symbolic and strategic value.

A Complicated Relationship with Trump

Although some in Taiwan welcome Trump’s hardline stance against China, the former president has also made statements that caused concern. During the 2024 campaign, Trump accused Taiwan of “stealing” the U.S. semiconductor industry and suggested that Taiwan should pay the U.S. directly for defense.

A poll conducted just before the election by political scientists Lev Nachman, Yen Weiting, and Hannah Kim showed that 56 percent of Taiwanese respondents preferred Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump. Many Taiwanese view Trump as unpredictable and worry that his “transactional” view of foreign relations could make their security less stable.

Still, the Lai administration is working to build bridges with the Trump team. After the election, President Lai posted on social media, “I’m confident that the longstanding Taiwan–U.S. partnership, built on shared values and interests, will continue to serve as a cornerstone for regional stability and lead to greater prosperity for us all.”

Taiwan is also watching Trump’s early appointments carefully. His selection of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser was seen as encouraging. Both men have histories of supporting Taiwan. However, the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has raised eyebrows due to her past criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine. Many in Taiwan see support for Ukraine as a signal of American willingness to defend democracies like theirs.

Internal Struggles and Opposition Pressure

While Lai confronts China and works with the U.S., he is also facing intense political opposition at home. Taiwan’s legislature is currently controlled by the Kuomintang (KMT), which has teamed up with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) to challenge Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The KMT has introduced legislation to limit the powers of the central government and even cut its budget by 50 percent, potentially weakening defense spending. After a proposal to expand legislative power was struck down by Taiwan’s Constitutional Court, KMT lawmakers responded with a new bill that would block the court from issuing rulings unless all 15 justices were present. Since seven justices recently retired, this could paralyze the court.

Another KMT proposal would remove penalties for military members who publicly show loyalty to China, such as saluting the Chinese flag or singing China’s national anthem. Critics say this would make it easier for Beijing to influence Taiwan’s military. Yet another bill aims to weaken Taiwan’s civil defense laws by excluding military action from their scope.

These internal political battles show that while President Lai is focused on defending Taiwan from external threats, he must also contend with deep divisions within the country’s own government.

Cultural Pressure and Media Warfare

China’s attempts to influence Taiwan extend beyond politics and the military. The Chinese government has pressured Taiwanese celebrities to publicly support Beijing’s claim to the island. Those who comply are rewarded with work opportunities in China’s lucrative entertainment industry. Those who resist may see their careers damaged.

To push back, President Lai has proposed giving entertainers official guidelines for working in China. He said this would help prevent stars from behaving in ways that “endanger national dignity.” These guidelines are part of Lai’s broader effort to reduce China’s influence on Taiwanese society through media, culture, and public opinion.

Taiwan’s Strategic Gamble

By acting now, President Lai is taking a major gamble. He is counting on China’s focus on the United States to give Taiwan the breathing room it needs to strengthen itself. But there are risks. China has already responded with increased military activity near Taiwan, sending fighter jets and warships close to the island’s airspace and waters. Beijing’s warnings have grown louder and more aggressive.

Even so, Lai believes this is the moment to act. With China on the defensive diplomatically and Taiwan gaining renewed U.S. attention, his administration is working quickly to secure the island’s future. As Lai put it, “China is taking advantage of Taiwan’s freedom to subvert us from within.” Now, Taiwan is making clear that it will no longer allow that to happen without a fight