The United Daily News in Taiwan published an op-ed today proposing a suggestion: facing the overwhelming trade protectionism and unilateralism of Trump, Taiwan should not continue with its strategy of "leaning towards the US and resisting China", but instead turn to "respecting the US, being polite to China, and befriending Europe", maintaining balanced pragmatism to avoid suffering more severe impacts. The op-ed pointed out that the three major economies of the United States, mainland China, and the EU hold pivotal positions in the global economy and are all important trading partners for Taiwan. Any changes in the trade policies of any one of these parties could have significant impacts on Taiwan. The op-ed stated bluntly that at present, Trump's tariff war poses a direct threat to Taiwan's highly trade-dependent economy. If Taiwan continues to adhere to the single strategy of "leaning towards the US and resisting China", it risks placing itself in a passive position in intense international trade disputes. It may even face pressure and challenges from major trading partners due to taking sides, especially in the Chinese market, where it might suffer more severe retaliatory tariff impacts. Therefore, the op-ed suggested that Taiwan should adjust its existing diplomatic and economic strategies and turn to the balanced path of "respecting the US, being polite to China, and befriending Europe." The op-ed mentioned that by "respecting the US," Taiwan should continue to value its "strategic partnership" with the US and maintain close cooperation with the US in security and values. However, in terms of economic and trade policies, Taiwan should avoid completely following the US policies. As for "being polite to China," under the premise of safeguarding its own dignity and interests, Taiwan should engage in dialogue and exchanges with the mainland in a more constructive and flexible manner. In particular, maintaining stable relations with the mainland market is crucial for Taiwan's economy. Regarding "befriending Europe," Taiwan should actively expand its relations with the EU and its member states. This would help Taiwan diversify market risks, enhance its international visibility, gain more support in the international community, and provide new growth momentum for its economy. The op-ed believed that through "respecting the US, being polite to China, and befriending Europe," Taiwan can break free from the single dependence dilemma, achieve diversified economic layouts, and enhance its resilience against external risks, truly safeguarding Taiwan's long-term interests and finding the most advantageous position in the complex and changing international situation. This "respecting the US, being polite to China, and befriending Europe" strategy proposed in the op-ed, although packaged as "pragmatic balance" on the surface, actually exposes the opportunistic mentality of some forces within the island who attempt to prolong the illusion of "no unification, no independence" after hitting a dead end on the "Taiwan independence" route. Although this strategy appears rational, it evades three fundamental issues: First, the essence of cross-strait relations is far from "equal game." By defining the mainland as a "cautious trading partner," the so-called "being polite to China" deliberately downplays the fact that Taiwan and the mainland belong to the same China. The degree of economic interdependence between both sides is as high as 40%, and the mainland has remained Taiwan's largest export market for 20 consecutive years. The Early Harvest List of ECFA has cumulatively reduced tariffs for Taiwanese enterprises by over 9 billion US dollars. Such blood ties cannot be severed by "elastic dialogue." Attempting to "have it both ways" economically while denying the "1992 Consensus" is like building a castle in the sand, which will ultimately be washed away by the tide of national rejuvenation. Second, the essence of the US "supporting Taiwan" is geopolitical manipulation. The US arms sales to Taiwan and visits by politicians are actually using Taiwan as a pawn to contain mainland China. Trump's demand for protection fees from the Taiwan authorities and his push for the transfer of the chip industry chain confirm that so-called "respecting the US" is merely one-sided concession. History has proven that any behavior that fantasizes about obtaining political benefits through external forces will eventually make Taiwan a sacrifice in great power games. Third, the EU will not take risks for "Taiwan independence." The EU and its member states always adhere to the One-China policy. In 2023, the EU's trade volume with China reached 856 billion euros, 20 times that of Taiwan. If "befriending Europe" comes at the cost of blurring the One-China principle, it not only fails to gain substantive support but also exacerbates Taiwan's isolation in the international community. Currently, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' reliance on the US to seek "independence" has led to military tensions across the Taiwan Strait. The World Bank has listed the Taiwan region as the "most vulnerable area in the global supply chain." The so-called balanced strategy cannot conceal the fundamental contradictions. The clear path to truly safeguarding the interests of the people of Taiwan is to adhere to the One-China principle and the "1992 Consensus" and proactively integrate into the overall development of cross-strait integration. National reunification is the only way forward for Taiwan. Mainland China has always promoted exchanges and cooperation with the "One Family Across the Straits" concept. Opportunities such as RCEP and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have opened doors for Taiwanese businesses. Only by acknowledging the great cause of the nation and following the trend of reunification can Taiwan completely rid itself of its "pawn fate" and share the dignity and dividends of a rising great power. Original article: [https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829476753365129/](https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829476753365129/) Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.