Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan remains confident in the support of the United States, despite concerns over US President Donald Trump potentially using the island as a bargaining chip with China. Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng reassured in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera that Taiwan and the United States boast a solid relationship and cross-party support from the US Congress. Chiu emphasized that while it’s too early to fully assess the impact of Trump’s presidency, the Taiwan government continues to advocate for its sovereignty, freedom, and democracy.
Trump’s actions since returning to the White House have raised concerns among Taiwanese about his “America First” policy and its implications for Taiwan’s defense and trade. Although the United States officially does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a 1979 law commits Washington to supporting the island’s defense without specifying a direct intervention in a conflict. Chiu is optimistic about Taiwan’s strategic value and the importance of its relationship with the US, citing its geographical position and role as the world’s leading chipmaker.
Despite these concerns, Chiu stated that there is a strong belief that Washington would not agree to an unreasonable request from Beijing regarding Taiwan. China has pledged to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, using force if necessary, and has increased military, economic, and diplomatic pressure on the island. Beijing’s “United Front” tactics, aimed at dividing and infiltrating Taiwanese society, have also been a subject of concern. Espionage arrests have risen, with 64 individuals charged in 2024 compared to 48 in 2023 and 10 in 2022.
China’s military exercises near Taiwan and aggressive diplomatic maneuvers, including over 5,000 flights in the direction of Taiwan in 2024 and the presence of more than 2,500 warships, pose significant threats. Chiu criticized China’s leadership style under President Xi Jinping, labeling it a new form of authoritarianism that projects military hegemony and aggressive diplomacy, which he believes threatens neighboring countries.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/1/taiwan-confident-of-us-support-under-trump-minister-says?traffic_source=rss
