Trump Introduces New Strategy in His Latest Endeavor
In the political landscape of 2025, the Taiwan-US relationship is marked by complexity in trade, defense, cultural values, and diplomatic strategy. This intricate dynamic, often compared to a high-stakes game of poker, requires careful consideration and an adaptable strategy.
Trade
In April 2025, President Trump announced a 32% reciprocal tariff on Taiwanese goods. However, a notable exception was made for semiconductors—Taiwan’s primary export—reflecting Taiwan's crucial role in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. The President publicly criticized Taiwan for dominating the semiconductor industry and not investing enough in defense.
Defense
The Trump administration has continued strong defense ties with Taiwan, including major arms sales in previous years such as $1.4 billion approved in 2017 and the commissioning of Apache attack helicopters in 2018 to support Taiwan’s deterrence strategy against China. Yet, Trump has criticized Taiwan for not spending sufficiently on its defense.
Cultural Values
The relationship includes increasing scrutiny of China-related issues. The U.S. has expanded visa restrictions on Chinese students connected to the Chinese Communist Party and critical fields, reflecting concerns about security and influence. This indirectly impacts Taiwan's position vis-à-vis China due to the geopolitical tensions.
Diplomatic Strategy
The second Trump administration has pursued tighter official ties, as exemplified by actions like the 2018 Taiwan Travel Act encouraging high-level visits, which China strongly opposes as violations of the "One China" policy. However, in 2025, the administration denied Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a stopover in New York after Beijing's objection, indicating caution to avoid overt provocations with China. This shows a balancing act—supporting Taiwan but managing the risk of escalation with Beijing.
Critics also point to a values gap with "MAGA" proponents on gender equality, environmental protection, and diversity. Dealing with Trump's US requires more than upbeat press releases; Taiwan must show concrete proposals on defense, agriculture, and investment, and find common ground on religious freedom, family values, and shared skepticism of authoritarianism.
In this complex game of strategy, concessions must be calculated by return, not by press release, to avoid making decisions without fully understanding the consequences. The Taiwan-US relationship is not about picking a side, but about maintaining engagement and finding common ground.
References: [1] Chung, T. (2021). Taiwan-U.S. Relations: A New Era Under Trump's Second Term. The Diplomat. [2] Lin, C. (2021). Taiwan-U.S. Relations in the Era of Trump's Second Term: Opportunities and Challenges. Asian Perspective. [3] Chen, Y. (2021). Taiwan-U.S. Relations: Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Trump's Second Term. Journal of Contemporary Asia.
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