OPINION:
Watching President Trump’s ebbing support for Ukraine, many people are concerned that Taiwan could be next. However, the Taiwanese people are glad to see an internal Pentagon memo calling for the U.S. military to prioritize deterring a Chinese takeover of Taiwan.
For decades, Taiwan has framed its stand-off with China as a defense of freedom and democracy, underpinned by the expectation that the U.S. would back it up if China were to invade. The Chinese military recently launched large-scale military drills, which analysts called a “pre-invasion operation.” To help improve resilience in Taiwan, Trump’s administration must be sure the U.S. military strategy supports
the democratic lighthouse. The best thing the U.S. can do to help improve resilience in Taiwan is to show resolve in retaining its
hard-won freedoms.
With China growing in strength and its stance on Taiwan becoming more belligerent, the U.S. should encourage Taipei to create a home
guard to forestall a quick victory by China. President Trump should help protect against China’s coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan, which undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, jeopardizing
global prosperity.
KENT WANG
Advisory commissioner for the Overseas Community Affairs Council, Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United States
Potomac Falls, Virginia
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