Written by Brian Hioe. US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP alarmed earlier this month after comments suggesting that he would decide whether to suspend arms sales to Taiwan after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April.
Tag: US-Taiwan relations
The New NSS’s Contradictions Towards Taiwan
Written by Baosheng Guo. This article highlights four contradictions in the US’s 2025 National Security Strategy, including the tension between defending Taiwan and the Retrenchment strategy toward China, burden-sharing exceeding allies’ tolerance, aligning allies’ actions with US interests, and maintaining American soft power while abandoning Taiwan’s democratic values.
US-Taiwan Relations 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. This article reviews an eventful year of 2025 in Taiwan-US relations. Defence and trade continue to be the most important issues of the bilateral relationship under the Trump administration. It argues that the narrative surrounding it is fundamentally reactive and does not inspire hope or action. We need a more robust, imaginative, positive, optimistic, uplifting, inspiring, forward-looking, and hopeful narrative for US-Taiwan relations.
US-Taiwan relations in 2025; It sure was a turbulent year.
Written by Gerrit van der Wees. This article suggests that Taiwan-US relations in 2025 were turbulent. The year was marked by contradictory presidential statements, unprecedented congressional activism, and the codification of Taiwan’s strategic importance in U.S. defence and security planning. The latest PLA military exercise indicates that 2026 will be even more turbulent.
Distant Allies? Explaining U.S. Allies’ (In)action Over the Prospect of a Taiwan Strait Contingency
Written by Carlos Francisco Torres Morales. Using an alliance framework, this commentary argues that Tokyo and Seoul’s reluctance to convey support to Taipei publicly stems from strategic caution, since this could provoke the undesired effects they would seek to deter by extending clear security assurances, but also to retain flexibility in their redefining their stances vis-à-vis Taiwan (and China).
Beyond Deterrence: Reclaiming Dialogue in the Taiwan Strait
Written by Meng Kit Tang. As tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait, military deterrence has become the dominant narrative. This article argues that renewed dialogue, economic pragmatism, and people-to-people exchanges are equally vital for long-term stability. Drawing on historical precedents and current developments, it outlines practical pathways to reduce risks and rebuild trust.
Trump, Tariffs and Taiwan – walking a tightrope
Written by Michael Reilly. This article argues that the implications of Donald Trump’s tariffs for Taiwan are much more serious than a potential 0.43% hit to its GDP growth because the US and China are its two largest export markets, placing Taiwan on the front line of the trade war. Nevertheless, the choices of Taiwan are likely to be forced upon it by the decisions of American companies.
Making History but Not as One Chooses: The Trump Administration and Challenges for US Taiwan Policy in an Era of Difficult Deterrence
Written by Jacques deLisle. Amidst the focus on potential radical impact under the second Trump administration, this article examines some fundamental trends and challenges in US-Taiwan relations and US-China-Taiwan dynamics. The longstanding US policy of strategic ambiguity is becoming increasingly harder to hold and Taiwan’s capacity to navigate is waning.
Managing the Shock of Mutual Non-subordination: Biden’s Approach and Test for Trump
Written by Chen-Dong Tso. This article reviews the cross-Strait strategy of the Biden administration after President Lai characterised the two sides of the Taiwan Strait as “mutual non-subordination”. The administration adopted a nuanced approach of both restraint and support, which the incoming Trump administration might not follow.
Trump on Earth? Implications for Taiwan’s Climate and Energy Policy
Written by Chia-wei Chao. Trump’s return to the presidency could reshape the global energy landscape, challenging Taiwan to navigate a more uncertain climate policy environment. By proactively addressing geopolitical risks, energy flows, and trade opportunities, Taiwan can safeguard its climate ambitions while maintaining robust ties with the US.
The U.S.-Taiwan Relations under Trump 2.0
Written by Fang-Yu Chen. This article examines how a potential second Trump presidency could reshape U.S.-Taiwan relations, highlighting that while core policies may remain stable, Trump’s transactional approach and rhetoric could affect bilateral ties and public perception. It also emphasizes that Taiwan must strengthen its multi-faceted diplomatic strategies to maintain international support for Taiwan Strait issues, regardless of U.S. leadership changes.
Cautious Optimism or Hesitant Anxiety: Grounding Taiwan’s Approach to Trump 2.0
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. This article argues Taiwan has what it takes to thrive in the face of increased volatility in US-Taiwan relations. Regardless of the potential US internal and international turmoil, Taiwan should find a set of principles and mid-term strategic goals and develop its own value.
Taiwan Insight 