TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A recent poll released by the Institute for Global Affairs on Tuesday (Sept. 24) reveals that American voters believe Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is better equipped to handle a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan.
The poll shows that 53% of voters nationwide trust Trump over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for this critical issue.
However, the same poll indicates that 52% of voters believe Harris can more effectively defend U.S. international interests, compared to 48% for Trump.
Swing state voters show a different preference, with 54% favoring Trump over Harris's 46% in protecting U.S. interests.
Swing state voters also believe Trump is more likely to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, with 58% supporting this view versus 42% for Harris. Nationwide, 51% of voters think Trump can end these conflicts, while 49% side with Harris.
Mark Hannah, a senior fellow at the Institute for Global Affairs, notes that Harris's foreign policy vision lacks the clarity of Trump's, especially among swing state voters. This clarity seems crucial as 58% of swing state voters and 53% of national voters feel Trump can more effectively respond to a Chinese military action against Taiwan.
The poll also highlights that support for protecting Taiwan is nearly identical among Democrats and Republicans, with 44% and 45% respectively. Interestingly, voters inclined to support Harris are 18% more likely to believe the U.S. should deploy troops to defend Taiwan than those favoring Trump.
As the election approaches, these perceptions could play a significant role in shaping voter decisions and U.S. foreign policy.
