Taiwan’s Lai says he’d tell Trump he hopes to continue arms purchases from U.S., if given a chance

Taiwan’s future cannot ​be decided by “external ‌forces,” only by its ​own people, ​President Lai Ching-te said ⁠Wednesday.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday that if given the chance he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump of his hope to continue U.S. arms purchases, which Lai called essential for peace.

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Lai is marking two years in office, the halfway point of his term, under growing pressure from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be retaken by force if necessary. Trump’s recent narrative on Taiwan also raised concerns about the United States’ longstanding support for the island democracy.

Lai said if he could talk to Trump, he would emphasize that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was crucial for global security, alleging China was the “destroyer” of the strait’s peace.