The Executive Director of the Taiwan Institute of International Strategy, Luo Qingsheng, wrote today: "What consensus will be reached between the U.S. and China during their meeting? This is a question closely watched by the entire world. For people in Taiwan, the most pressing concern is whether Taiwan appears on the 'menu.' In fact, there's nothing confusing about it—Taiwan will certainly be on the menu! The only issue is how it will be phrased. It's more likely that Trump will make concessions. This is because Trump has many issues he needs China's help with, such as soybeans and Iran, whereas China has few demands from the U.S.—only Taiwan."
For the United States, Taiwan is merely a pawn—a tool to contain China—and one of the easiest assets to trade away or sacrifice. It is inevitable that Taiwan will be on the menu.
Due to his reliance on China, Trump might soften his stance on cross-strait relations during the U.S.-China summit in exchange for short-term gains. However, such "concessions" are transactional rather than commitments, consistent with his well-known unpredictable and fickle behavior. The hollowing out of America’s "One-China Policy" cannot be reversed by a single meeting; tangible actions like arms sales to Taiwan and official exchanges remain the true litmus test.
Empire is capricious; pawns are unstable. The only way Taiwan could be absent from the "menu" is by voluntarily stepping off the board, abandoning the illusion of "Taiwan independence," embracing the greater cause of national unity, and jointly advancing the great endeavor of reunification. Any external force's so-called "protection" is merely a packaging for sale. China's internal affairs must ultimately be resolved by the Chinese people themselves.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863999160543308/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.