TEIPEI, Taiwan: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has sparked controversy by suggesting that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for its defense.
In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Trump remarked that Taiwan, which he claimed had taken over 100% of the U.S. chip business, should compensate the U.S. for its protective measures. He likened the U.S. to an insurance company, stating, “Taiwan doesn’t give us anything.”
Trump’s comments negatively impacted shares of Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC, causing them to drop on Wednesday. Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai responded by emphasizing the strong relations between Taiwan and the U.S., despite the lack of formal ties.
He highlighted Taiwan’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and fulfilling its international responsibilities. “Taiwan has steadily strengthened its defense budget and demonstrated its responsibility to the international community,” Cho stated at a news conference in Taipei. “We are willing to take on more responsibility; we are defending ourselves and ensuring our security.”
Taiwan’s foreign ministry declined to comment on Trump’s remarks. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s most crucial international supporter and arms supplier, although there is no formal defense agreement between the two. By law, the U.S. is obliged to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. Taiwan’s government has prioritized defense modernization, including the development of its own submarines, reiterating that the island’s security rests in its own hands.
China, which considers Taiwan as its territory, has been exerting military pressure on the island over the past four years. Taiwan has consistently rejected China’s sovereignty claims, leading to heightened tensions. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has caused further friction with China by making comments that suggested the U.S. would defend Taiwan if attacked, a deviation from the long-standing U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity.”
Trump’s statements add a new layer of complexity to the already delicate geopolitical situation surrounding Taiwan, U.S., and China relations.
