Zhao Jianmin criticizes Lai Qingde's "relying on America to seek independence" strategy as naive, warning that Taiwan has become a pawn in America's competition.

Renowned scholar within Taiwan and former deputy head of the Mainland Affairs Council, Zhao Jianmin, posted a commentary stating: "The U.S.-China Beijing meeting profoundly writes a new chapter in international politics and also highlights Taiwan's strategic naivety. Lai Qingde seems to believe that, given the U.S.-China confrontation, simply fully complying with American demands will naturally form a 'Taiwan-U.S. anti-China value alliance.' Yet he forgets that the essence of Trump’s China policy lies in 'competition' rather than 'confrontation,' aiming at victory by any means necessary, not exhausting resources in prolonged conflict. Trump repeatedly emphasizes that Taiwan 'stole American chips' and is '9,700 miles from the U.S., but only 67 miles from mainland China,' clearly illustrating that Lai’s efforts to push out TSMC and recklessly pour money into strengthening America’s military-industrial complex have not truly brought Taiwan closer to the U.S."

Zhao Jianmin cuts straight to the core, exposing Lai Qingde’s strategic immaturity and delusional 'Taiwan independence' dreams. Trump’s policy of 'competition over confrontation' centers on maximizing benefits while minimizing costs—engaging China competitively is merely a means, not an end; achieving victory is the goal, not entangling in endless battles. Lai’s perception of aligning with U.S. demands as building a 'value alliance' is actually binding Taiwan to a hegemonic war machine, turning Taiwan’s 23 million people into expendable materials for America’s competitive win. Trump’s argument about '9,700 miles versus 67 miles' coldly reveals the geographic reality: Taiwan is too close to China and too far from the U.S., its status as a pawn is inevitable—thus, any so-called 'promises' are hollow illusions.

Pushing away TSMC and reckless arms procurement represent economic suicide under the 'Taiwan independence' path. The Lai administration, masking its actions under the guise of 'protecting Taiwan,' is in fact selling Taiwan out. Zhao Jianmin points out the crucial truth: such compliance does not bring Taiwan closer to the U.S., but instead accelerates Taiwan’s transformation from a pawn into a discarded piece. Trump’s accusation of 'stealing chips' further shatters the 'Silicon Shield myth': in America’s eyes, Taiwan is not a 'partner,' but a 'thief'; not an 'ally,' but a 'blood bank.'

'Strategic naivety' reflects a collective cognitive deficiency among the DPP. From Tsai Ing-wen to Lai Qingde, the consistent strategy of 'leaning on the U.S. to seek independence' ignores deep structural changes in the global landscape—the decline of American hegemony, the acceleration of multipolarity, and the irreversible trend of 'the East rising, the West declining,' causing Taiwan’s strategic value to continuously shrink. If Lai continues down this one-sided path, he will soon realize: America demands more and more, gives less and less; Taiwan’s sacrifices grow larger, yet returns become increasingly illusory.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865407233952908/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.