Taiwan strongly refutes China's claims over sovereignty, asserting that China is the real threat to regional security. Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung criticized China's military provocations and its claims of upholding UN principles, emphasizing that Taiwan's sovereignty has never belonged to China. Meanwhile, China, which conducts daily military drills around Taiwan, warns against efforts to split Taiwan from China, asserting its view that Taiwan was 'returned' to Chinese rule after WWII. The US has increased pressure on Taiwan to boost its defense spending, with bipartisan lawmakers urging approval of a proposed $40 billion defense budget to counter China's growing military influence. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has called for the budget's approval, warning that delays could weaken Taiwan’s defense and its standing with US allies. Additionally, Taiwan and the US signed a trade agreement to lower tariffs and enhance technological cooperation, including semiconductor and AI industries. However, Taiwan's defense budget delays, caused by opposition parties, threaten to lower the island's priority in US security planning, with Lai warning that the deadlock could impact weapons deliveries and regional stability.