Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), was a strong ally of the U.S. during Donald Trump’s first term. Increased arms sales and diplomatic visits strengthened this alliance.
However, during his campaign for a second term, Trump criticized Taiwan. He claimed it should pay more for U.S. protection and accused it of “stealing” America’s chip business. This shift raised concerns in Taiwan about its future relationship with Washington.
Taiwan’s government is confident in its long-standing ties with the U.S. However, it recognizes the need to increase defense spending and engage more with the Trump administration. Professor Chen Ming-chi, a former advisor to Taiwan’s National Security Council, expressed anxiety about Trump’s unpredictable policies and Taiwan’s security under his leadership.
The U.S. is legally obligated to support Taiwan’s defense under the Taiwan Relations Act. Despite tensions, Taiwan maintains strong defense communication with the U.S. President Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to being a reliable partner.
The situation is becoming more critical. Beijing is ramping up military pressure on Taiwan with frequent naval deployments and threats of invasion. Taiwan faces additional challenges from Trump’s policies. He called for Taiwan to increase its defense budget to 10% of its GDP, a difficult goal. Trump also accused them of harming U.S. interests by “stealing” its chip business, raising concerns over Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
Experts warn that Taiwan’s chip industry could face setbacks if Trump imposes stricter controls or tariffs. Taiwan’s leaders are now focused on how to better engage with the U.S. to ensure both security and economic stability during Trump’s second term. (Courtesy of CNN)
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