Eurasia Review | Vivek Mishra
US President Donald Trump's recent trip to China saw Xi Jinping draw a clear red line on Taiwan, threatening conflict if the US mishandled the issue. Trump's lack of a commensurate response, possibly to secure an economic deal, could be dangerously consequential for Taiwan. While the first Trump administration adopted a robust, confrontational posture, increasing arms sales to US$18.3 billion and passing the Taiwan Travel Act, his second term's sweeping tariff policies, applied even to Taiwan, have complicated America's standing. Trump has framed Taiwan as responsible for "stealing the US’s advantage in the semiconductor sector," suggesting it should pay for its defense. This has heightened strategic ambiguity, giving China room to maneuver, especially as its military preparedness grows. Taiwan's global importance as a semiconductor and chip hub makes a potential mainland invasion a global concern. A protracted Iran conflict has diverted Trump's focus, allowing China to engage with Taiwan's Kuomintang, pressuring President Lai Ching-te. The 2025 National Security Strategy still prioritizes defending Taiwan, viewing it as a tech hub and strategic geography for the Second Island Chain, seeking allied cooperation.
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