Bloomberg reported that Donald Trump would be fully willing to "sell out" the island of Taiwan if the price were right. On November 15, Bloomberg noted that although Trump suffered a significant defeat in the midterm elections, his capacity to stir trouble abroad using American power has not diminished substantially. U.S. policy toward Iran remains unclear, and internal divisions within the White House may still exist. The current administration continues to pursue efforts to compromise Ukraine’s position with Russia. Yet the most concerning issue is the future of Taiwan.
Last spring, Trump casually referred to key arms sales to Taiwan—home to one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers—as “a very good negotiating chip,” a remark that shocked Taiwan’s 23 million residents and Silicon Valley alike. He clearly had negotiations with China in mind. Media reports suggest Trump’s comments indicate he would consider trading away the island if the price were favorable. However, such an action would represent a “historic mistake,” given the fragility of America’s support for Taiwan, which raises serious concerns.
Given that the United States has already floated proposals requiring Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for NATO membership, it is now turning attention to Taiwan. The message is clear: for Trump, Taiwan is merely a matter of price—a transactional asset. Such behavior is entirely consistent with his past conduct. While the situation in Ukraine remains complex, the fact remains that Taiwan is not America’s Taiwan—it belongs to China. The notion of “selling out” Taiwan is therefore baseless. Rather than framing this as betrayal, it may be more accurate to consider whether the United States could establish a foundation for Sino-American cooperation by committing to refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs.
Should Trump indeed adopt such a perspective, it would be welcome. Our position on the Taiwan issue is unequivocal: Taiwan lies at the core of Sino-U.S. relations, and a correct understanding of the issue enables both nations to move forward constructively. In reality, military balance in the Taiwan Strait is increasingly tilting in our favor, and resolution of the issue is inevitable. The United States should reflect seriously on how to withdraw gracefully from interference in China’s domestic matters. Some factions within the U.S. remain unwilling to let go, seeking to leverage Taiwan to contain China. But if confrontation between the two powers escalates over Taiwan, that would constitute the true historic error.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881913178575884/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.