Following Trump’s re-election, Taiwan is wary of a more complicated relationship, with demands for heightened defense spending and ongoing tensions with China.
Taiwan Braces for a Tense Relationship as Trump Returns to Office
Taiwan Braces for a Tense Relationship as Trump Returns to Office
The election of Donald Trump raises concerns in Taiwan about the future of U.S.-Taiwan relations, as calls for defense spending increase.
Taiwan is preparing for a more complicated relationship with the United States as Donald J. Trump secures a second term in the White House. After experiencing relatively warm interactions during Trump’s initial election, Taiwanese officials appear more guarded this time, especially as Trump has publicly voiced his concerns about Taiwan’s spending on defense and its semiconductor industry dominance.
In 2016, Taiwan's then-president was quick to congratulate Trump after his win, but this time around, reports suggest that there will be no similar phone call initiated by Taiwan's current leader, Lai Ching-te. This decision reflects significant anxiety regarding a potential diplomatic chill. “There is more anxiety this time,” noted Chen Ming-chi, a former senior adviser on Taiwan’s National Security Council, underscoring the tension in the air. In a clear departure from the past, the Taiwanese government has signaled that it is adopting a more pragmatic approach to its relations with Washington.
Trump's campaign rhetoric included assertions that Taiwan should increase its defense budget and a critique of its semiconductor industry, jeopardizing Taiwan's economic interests. With China frequently showcasing military strength near Taiwan, Taiwanese leaders remain cautious, aware that any congratulatory gestures toward Trump might provoke a strong reaction from Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory. Thus, the island nation is carefully navigating its diplomatic strategies amid rising tensions in the region.
