Taiwan's first HIMARS test and Trump's remarks spook Taipei amid rising China fear

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-05-13 21:45:47 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-23 10:32:09

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Taiwan's recent test of a U.S. M-142 HIMARS rocket system is the latest development in its efforts to bolster its missile defense capabilities amid heightened tensions with China. But the timing of this move, coinciding with President Trump's unexpected remarks about a possible effort at "unification" across the Taiwan Strait, has Taipei on high alert.

The test, conducted by the Combined Arms Division of the Army's Joint Forces Training Base on June 11, was the first time Taiwan employed the high-mobility artillery rocket system to hit targets at various distances. In a press conference, Lieutenant General Huang Kuo-ming stated that the test was a success and that the army is now comfortable using the system in actual combat.

This move comes as Taiwan faces increasing pressure from Beijing, which has continued to militarize the South China Sea and has not shied away from provocative actions like incursions into Taiwanese airspace. Taiwan relies on imports for more than 90% of its energy needs, making it vulnerable to coercion and cutoff.

But the commentary from President Trump, stating that the U.S. "would certainly intervene" if China were to make a move on Taiwan and that "China wants to make a deal," has many in Taiwan and beyond seeing a green light for aggressive action.

With relations between Washington and Beijing already strained over a host of issues, all eyes are on how China will respond to these developments, and what repercussions it could have for peace and stability in the region.

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