Until recently, Taiwan was gaining seemingly endless, bipartisan support in Washington. There, the island has long been seen as a brave Democratic partner against China.
Now, weeks after President Donald J. Trump's second term, Taiwan is adapting to changing relations with its major supporter, the United States. It does not focus on shared democratic ideals, it is more uncertain and transactional. Trump accused Taiwan of spending too much on its own security and gaining unfair control in creating semiconductors.
Taiwanese officials and businessmen are trying to assure the new administration of their commitment to cooperation. They traveled to Washington for a meeting, carried a chart detailing their military spending, and attended an inauguration event filled with Magazine Faithful. They have floated new deals that Taiwanese companies can intervene with American companies in gas and other areas, and have sought to explain the value of Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing to American interests.
Their efforts are underpinning fears about what Trump will do to push for rising semiconductor production to the United States, for example. Trump said he may soon impose tariffs on semiconductors. Taiwanese officials are preparing to help Taiwanese businesses ease any blows of such moves.
“I think Taiwan has confidence that they have good relations with the US and that they have many friends in Congress and can survive the storm,” the Pacific Program often talks with Taiwanese politicians. “When Trump made those comments, I think it was an alarm call for the people of Taiwan.
Governments around the world are trying to adapt to Trump's fighting approach. However, Taipei's interests are particularly high. The island relies on the US for almost every major weapon. With nearly a quarter of its exports directly to the US, Washington claims Taiwan is its territory and that it must be forced to accept unity if it appears necessary. It is important in giving.
Taiwan's officials and policy advisers said the island will soon roll out measures to help businesses get hurt by new US tariffs. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive and tentative nature of the plan and refused to provide details. Some officials have publicly suggested preparations. “We're preparing for a variety of scenarios,” Economic Minister Kuo Jihuei told reporters when asked about Trump's threatened tariffs. “If you show your hand now, it won't work for everyone's benefit.”
Even if Trump keeps tariffs down, Taiwan is facing more pressure from his administration on other issues. The island includes a large trade surplus with the United States. The US rose to a record $74 billion last year, according to US data. American military equipment is stuck in the backlog. The United States is committed by law to help Taiwan protect itself, leaving the possibility of intervening militarily if China attempts to conquer the island.
“There is a fundamental discrepancy. We have thought that the US and Taiwan are in a strong partnership, but under the US the US is not sufficient under Taiwan,” says Hudson Research. said Jason Huss, a former Taiwanese lawmaker and technology investor, a senior fellow at the Institute. “Shortly or later, the Taiwanese government will need to show up in town with a package ready to offer Trump.”
Officially, the Taiwanese government projects a mild confidence in its relationship with Washington. However, the efforts of Taiwanese officials to bridge Trump's inner circle during their trip to Washington last month and December have so far been barely reached, and the interaction is limited. Three American officials familiar with their efforts said.
Taiwan sent two economic staff members to Washington this week to “describe ourselves better to Trump's circle,” Economic Minister Kuo told reporters before leaving. Taiwan also hopes to buy more liquefied natural gas from Alaska, he said.
“Taiwan is preparing some gifts for Trump,” said Jeremy Chi Chen Chang, CEO of the Institute of Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology in Taipei. “They have already shown some, like buying liquefied natural gas, as you saw in the news reports, but others are certain.”
In January, executives from Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturers (TSMC, the world's most advanced chip maker) held talks with the candidate for Trump's Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnick.
Taiwan's officials visiting Washington in December said Taiwan's military preparations were rapidly increasing, according to people familiar with these debates. Presentations designed to demonstrate that there are. They met with Michael Waltz, a Florida lawmaker known as Hawkish on national security issues, according to one of the people.
Taiwanese officials hope to find robust supporters for two men who are deeply critical of China in Congress: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and now Trump's national security adviser One Waltz. However, some former officials who strongly supported Taiwan during Trump's first term have not been taken to his new administration, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“We are very informed that some Taiwanese Hardline Hawks have been ruled out,” said Christopher K. Johnson, president of China Strategy Group, consulting firm and former U.S. government intelligence officer. Ta. Some of the wrong horses. ”
Apparently a half dozen officials poised to gain senior positions in the Pentagon rejected the GOP tradition of supporting vast foreign reach in favour of limiting the commitment of US military overseas. They formulated more military support for Ukraine in recent years, representing the doctrine of the party's dominant foreign policy that NATO allies strive to spend more on the military.
In an opinion essay released last May, Elbridge Colby, a candidate for the Pentagon under the Secretary of Defense for Trump's policy, assumes that Taiwan is essential to the United States. He warned that it shouldn't. “The United States has a strong interest in defending Taiwan, but the Americans could survive without it,” he writes. He and other Pentagon officials have suggested that Taiwan should increase military spending by at least 5% of its economic production, or about twice as much as it currently spends.
The Taiwanese government says it is committed to increasing military spending, although many Taiwanese experts and officials have personally questioned the 5% target. Taiwan's President Lai Qingte is also facing a parliament ruled by opposition lawmakers who denounced his government for wasted spending and governance in part of this year's defense budget.
At the same time, Taiwan has its own frustration with the United States, including a large backlog of weapons and military equipment that have no drawers to the island.
Referring to Taiwan, Steve Yates, a senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation, said: “The US needs to revise its defense manufacturing supply chain before pressure others to do more.”
Anna Swanson of Washington and Amy Chang Chien of Taipei contributed the report.
