With shifting U.S. stances, Taiwan's leaders face uncertainty regarding support against potential threats from China.
Taiwan Watches U.S. Policy Shift as Trump Challenges Support for Ukraine
Taiwan Watches U.S. Policy Shift as Trump Challenges Support for Ukraine
As President Trump turns his attention away from Ukraine, Taiwan weighs its future with American backing against China’s aggression.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan quickly aligned with the United States and its allies, publicly affirming solidarity with Ukraine, a fellow democracy threatened by authoritarianism. However, President Trump's recent pivot away from Ukraine raises critical questions for Taiwanese leaders regarding the reliability of U.S. support in the event of heightened tensions with China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory.
Russell Hsiao, executive director of the Global Taiwan Institute, noted that Taiwan has long argued that the destiny of democracies is interconnected, emphasizing that developments in Ukraine directly affect Taiwan's fate. Hsiao expressed concern that the sudden shift in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine might lead some Taiwanese officials to doubt whether they can depend on American backing if crises escalate.
Taiwan has faced the looming threat of invasion from China for decades, with Chinese military exercises regularly testing the island's defenses. The credibility of Taiwan's deterrence strategy relies heavily on the U.S. commitment to provide support, including military assistance. For nearly ten years, strengthening relations with Washington has been a cornerstone of Taiwan's defense policy.
With Trump’s surprising turnaround on U.S. policy toward Ukraine—denouncing Western efforts to penalize Russia and placing blame for the conflict on Ukraine—Taiwan is now contending with the need to reassess its approach. Leaders on the island must navigate the new political landscape and consider how to secure U.S. backing in a potentially volatile region.
Russell Hsiao, executive director of the Global Taiwan Institute, noted that Taiwan has long argued that the destiny of democracies is interconnected, emphasizing that developments in Ukraine directly affect Taiwan's fate. Hsiao expressed concern that the sudden shift in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine might lead some Taiwanese officials to doubt whether they can depend on American backing if crises escalate.
Taiwan has faced the looming threat of invasion from China for decades, with Chinese military exercises regularly testing the island's defenses. The credibility of Taiwan's deterrence strategy relies heavily on the U.S. commitment to provide support, including military assistance. For nearly ten years, strengthening relations with Washington has been a cornerstone of Taiwan's defense policy.
With Trump’s surprising turnaround on U.S. policy toward Ukraine—denouncing Western efforts to penalize Russia and placing blame for the conflict on Ukraine—Taiwan is now contending with the need to reassess its approach. Leaders on the island must navigate the new political landscape and consider how to secure U.S. backing in a potentially volatile region.
