Taiwan’s President Says Peace Depends on Strength After Trump–Xi Talks

Lai delivered the address amid Beijing’s pressure, uncertainty over U.S. arms sales, and a narrowed defense-spending package.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivers address on second anniversary of taking office in Taipei, Taiwan on May 20, 2026. Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on May 20 said peace across the Taiwan Strait must be secured through strength, in an address delivered on his second anniversary since taking office.

Lai said Taiwan’s future “cannot be decided by forces outside our borders” and must be determined by Taiwan’s 23 million people. He said Taiwan is willing to engage China under principles of “parity and dignity,” but rejected what he called the Chinese regime’s united front tactics that “package unification as peace.”