TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As the United States gears up for what promises to be an intense presidential election in November, Taiwan's political landscape is closely observing potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy. With Vice President Kamala Harris officially nominated by the Democratic Party and former President Donald Trump representing the Republicans, the outcome of this election is of significant interest to Taiwan, especially regarding its implications for U.S.-China relations.
At a roundtable discussion hosted on Monday (Aug. 26) by ICRT, Taiwan's leading English-language radio station, U.S. political commentators and Taiwanese legislators analyzed how the election results might impact Taiwan. Despite the heated nature of the U.S. election, the consensus among American legal experts is that Taiwan’s importance in the Asia-Pacific region will remain a priority for both parties, irrespective of the election outcome.
Bipartisan Support for Taiwan
"There's a huge appreciation for Taiwan in the United States on both sides of the aisle," said John Eastwood, a lawyer who emphasized that Vice President Harris has been proactive in addressing Taiwan's concerns in her interactions with Asian governments. He pointed out that Harris consistently highlights Taiwan's role when meeting with leaders in the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring her commitment to maintaining strong ties.
On the other hand, Ross Feingold, a lawyer representing the Republican perspective, noted that a potential Trump administration would likely exert more pressure on Taiwan, especially in terms of defense spending. He recalled the Trump administration's significant engagement with Taiwan, including visits from high-ranking officials like Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and Under Secretary of State Keith Krach in 2020. Feingold suggested that Trump would demand Taiwan to increase its defense budget beyond the current 2.5% of GDP, signaling a more transactional approach.
Taiwan's Strategic Response
Taiwanese officials participating in the discussion echoed the importance of maintaining strong U.S. relations while also focusing on domestic capabilities. Michael Chen, deputy director of the Department of International Affairs for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), expressed confidence that U.S.-Taiwan relations would remain stable regardless of the election results.
He attributed this to three key factors: a global trend in countering China's influence, strong bipartisan support in the U.S. for Taiwan, and the legal framework provided by the Taiwan Relations Act.
"In terms of the policies, the general direction, I think, will largely be the same, broadly speaking, for three main reasons. One is the global trend on China is clear. That's really China's own doing. Secondly, Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support in the U.S. And finally, the U.S.-Taiwan relations are rooted in law, namely the Taiwan Relations Act," Chen said.
The discussion also highlighted the strategic priorities of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). Chance Xu, assistant director of the KMT's Department of International Affairs, emphasized the need for Taiwan to invest in asymmetric warfare capabilities and improve language skills among its military personnel. Xu pointed out the critical importance of effective communication with U.S. forces in the event of a conflict with mainland China.
"We strive more on building up asymmetric capability. Also, we emphasize on language talent," Xu said. "If there was really a war or a fight between Taiwan and mainland China, and we have to fight shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. army, and we lack people who can communicate directly with them, how can we fight?”
Looking Ahead
Regardless of the election's outcome, Taiwan's strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific region remains undisputed, with both parties in the U.S. recognizing its value as a strong democracy and key trade partner.
