A survey released on Wednesday by the Taiwan Inspiration Association (TIA) offered a stark look into public feeling on national security. Its results indicate concern over the nation’s defensive capability as well as skepticism about the government’s ability to safeguard it.
Slightly more than 70 percent of respondents said they do not believe Taiwan has sufficient capacity to defend itself in the event of war, saying there is a lack of advanced military hardware.
At the same time, 62.5 percent opposed the opposition’s efforts to block the government’s NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.6 billion) special defense budget. More than half of respondents — 56.4 percent — said they do not believe the US would deploy forces to aid Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Public support for increasing defense spending has grown steadily for the past few years, even as confidence in the US commitment to Taiwan has fluctuated amidst international events and changing US administrations.
Although many Taiwanese are not as concerned about the likelihood of an immediate attack, these latest data reveal a persistent worry — the nation might not be prepared to defend itself if deterrence fails.
The survey highlights a dual problem. First, there is a lack of faith in Taiwan’s military capability. Second, there is a perception that political infighting is hampering decisive action on defense, such as the repeated shelving of the special defense budget by the opposition.
These factors weaken overall confidence in Taiwan’s ability to respond effectively to external threats and in the government’s willingness to invest in national defense.
National defense is not a partisan issue. Stalling the passage of the special defense budget or politicizing defense readiness only benefits those who wish to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty or erode public trust in the military.
Lawmakers must recognize that political maneuvering over defense funding directly affects the nation’s strategic preparedness, the public’s sense of security and the international community’s trust in Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself.
However, improving public confidence requires more than passing the budget. It requires grassroots engagement and practical measures to empower citizens.
The continued promotion of the whole-of-society resilience program, including the distribution of the In Case of Crisis: Taiwan’s National Public Safety Guide handbook earlier this year, represents an important first step.
The guide provides clear instructions for evacuation, basic first aid and emergency preparedness. However, a survey conducted by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in November last year showed that the handbook did little to instill operational confidence. Many Taiwanese remain uncertain they could protect themselves or their families in a crisis.
Local drills in neighborhoods, schools and workplaces could reinforce the sense that individuals and communities have the skills to respond effectively in a crisis. Civil defense education should become routine, integrated into everyday life and supported with digital tools to help people access critical information, and coordinate with family and community members during emergencies.
Trust in national defense must begin at the individual and community levels. Citizens who feel capable of protecting themselves and their loved ones are more likely to support broader defense initiatives, including the funding for military modernization.
Lastly, the survey underscored increasing skepticism about US support for Taiwan, a concern that is understandable given the turbulence of US domestic politics. US President Donald Trump’s focus on semiconductor supply chains and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s expansion in the US have fueled doubts over Washington’s willingness to intervene.
The reality is that defense strategy cannot depend on the hope of US military intervention. Grounding national security in the assumption that a foreign power would act in Taiwan’s defense is nothing short of irresponsible. The central focus must be placed on strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities — and public confidence in them.
The survey should be a call to action. Policymakers must do more to address the tangible and intangible aspects of national defense — the acquisition and maintenance of advanced military capabilities, the passage of essential defense budgets and the cultivation of public trust through practical, community-based measures.
A well-equipped military inspires public confidence, while confident citizens provide resilience that complements the armed forces’ capabilities.
Taiwan faces complex challenges in a volatile regional environment, but the path forward is clear — decisive political action, concrete preparedness measures and sustained civic engagement are essential to ensure that the military and the public can confidently safeguard the nation’s security.
When it became clear that the world was entering a new era with a radical change in the US’ global stance in US President Donald Trump’s second term, many in Taiwan were concerned about what this meant for the nation’s defense against China. Instability and disruption are dangerous. Chaos introduces unknowns. There was a sense that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) might have a point with its tendency not to trust the US. The world order is certainly changing, but concerns about the implications for Taiwan of this disruption left many blind to how the same forces might also weaken
As the new year dawns, Taiwan faces a range of external uncertainties that could impact the safety and prosperity of its people and reverberate in its politics. Here are a few key questions that could spill over into Taiwan in the year ahead. WILL THE AI BUBBLE POP? The global AI boom supported Taiwan’s significant economic expansion in 2025. Taiwan’s economy grew over 7 percent and set records for exports, imports, and trade surplus. There is a brewing debate among investors about whether the AI boom will carry forward into 2026. Skeptics warn that AI-led global equity markets are overvalued and overleveraged
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced that she would dissolve parliament on Friday. Although the snap election on Feb. 8 might appear to be a domestic affair, it would have real implications for Taiwan and regional security. Whether the Takaichi-led coalition can advance a stronger security policy lies in not just gaining enough seats in parliament to pass legislation, but also in a public mandate to push forward reforms to upgrade the Japanese military. As one of Taiwan’s closest neighbors, a boost in Japan’s defense capabilities would serve as a strong deterrent to China in acting unilaterally in the
Taiwan last week finally reached a trade agreement with the US, reducing tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 percent, without stacking them on existing levies, from the 20 percent rate announced by US President Donald Trump’s administration in August last year. Taiwan also became the first country to secure most-favored-nation treatment for semiconductor and related suppliers under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. In return, Taiwanese chipmakers, electronics manufacturing service providers and other technology companies would invest US$250 billion in the US, while the government would provide credit guarantees of up to US$250 billion to support Taiwanese firms
RSS