US support for Taiwan matters far beyond Indo-Pacific

Global Watch | 2026-01-02

The United States has approved one of the largest military assistance packages ever for Taiwan, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing and captured attention across the Indo-Pacific.

While headlines have focused on the dollar figures and diplomatic fallout, the deeper significance lies in what this move represents: deterrence, stability and credibility. This is not about provocation -- it is about ensuring peace through preparation.

The latest package, authorized through US defense authorities and tied to long-term security planning, prioritizes defensive capabilities for Taiwan. Rather than flashy weapons systems, the focus is on resilience: air defense, surveillance, command-and-control and logistics sustainment.

This distinction is critical. The goal is not to enable Taiwan to project power but to ensure it can withstand pressure, complicate coercion and buy time in the event of a crisis. These are the essential components of deterrence, and they signal a deliberate strategy to reduce the likelihood of conflict rather than escalate tensions.

China's reaction to the announcement was predictable, with officials condemning the move and warning of "consequences." State-aligned media and diplomatic channels echoed similar objections, framing the assistance as destabilizing.

However, this rhetoric follows a familiar pattern. Beijing consistently portrays any effort to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense as provocative, even when the capabilities involved are explicitly defensive. This framing obscures a fundamental truth -- deterrence reduces the risk of conflict, while ambiguity and weakness invite pressure. By bolstering Taiwan's defenses, the United States is actively discouraging aggression, not provoking it.

The US approach reflects hard lessons learned from other regions. When revisionist powers believe time is on their side, they escalate pressure. When they face credible resistance, their calculations change.

By acting now to strengthen Taiwan's defenses, the United States is raising the cost of coercion, reducing the temptation for miscalculation and reinforcing its long-standing commitments without altering the status quo. This is not escalation; it is stabilization. The aid package is paired with consistent messaging that underscores the goal preserving peace and ensuring Taiwan’s future is decided peacefully, not under threat.

International message

For Europe, the stakes are significant. The lessons of failed deterrence are painfully familiar, and they are not confined to any single region.

Taiwan is central to global supply chains, maritime trade routes, and advanced manufacturing. Disruption in Taiwan would ripple through European economies within weeks, affecting industries and markets across the continent.

Beyond the economic impact, the issue is one of credibility. If international commitments can be eroded through pressure alone, no region is immune to the consequences. Europe's security and stability are tied to the same principles of deterrence and resistance that underpin US support for Taiwan.

The approval of expanded US assistance to Taiwan signals something larger than a single aid package. It reflects a recognition that preventing conflict requires preparation, not hesitation.

The message to the Indo-Pacific is that clear credible deterrence is the foundation of peace. The message to the world is even clearer: stability is built before crises, not after them.

By acting decisively now, the United States is reinforcing the principle that peace is preserved through strength, and that principle resonates far beyond the waters of the Indo-Pacific.