In Trump Era, Taiwan Defense Chief Says U.S. Still Is a Check on China

6 comments

1. Snippet from this article:
   “Taiwan is confident that the United States will remain a formidable power in Asia and can deter China from attempting an invasion of the island, Taiwan’s defense minister said, while recognizing the urgency of strengthening the island’s own defenses.

   Some of President Trump’s words and actions on Taiwan — raising tariffs, demanding that it drastically raise military spending, and accusing Taiwan of stealing the U.S. lead in making semiconductors — have magnified doubts in Taiwan about whether the United States would step in if China attacked the island. Beijing claims the island democracy is its territory and has said unification is inevitable, by force if necessary.

   But China can be held in check by the United States’ forces and alliances across Asia, and by reminding Beijing of the terrible economic cost that a war would exact, Wellington Koo, Taiwan’s defense minister, said in his most extensive interview since taking the job a year ago.

   “If China can be made to understand that the potential costs would be extremely, extremely high, then that will make it extremely hard for it to make a decision” for war, Mr. Koo said in the 80-minute interview on Wednesday with news outlets including The New York Times.

2. Trump hasn’t really been worse to Taiwan then anyone else (europe is getting the brunt of that) and Taiwan had a very good record with trump in the first term, not to mention he officially dropped opposition to Taiwanese independence and de facto recognized them. not to mention having 6 carrier groups positioned in the pacific fleet to stop china. with several forward deployed.

3. I would still start stockpiling if I were them. 2027 is coming quickly.

4. Trump can sell them for a trade deal with China. They need to wake up and avoid making such public statements.

5. The Cold War never truly ended. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, China assumed the mantle. In 2018, it surpassed 60% thresh-hold of America’s GDP—a milestone that neither the Soviet Union nor Nazi Germany ever reached.

6. Sensible comments from Taiwan chief, though of course nothing new, and just as expected from someone in his position would say. Obviously US is still gearing up for a showdown with China (if needed), and Taiwan must be prepared to fight on its own (if it must, as no one can be certain of what Trump would do). From the news just a few days ago, the biggest buyer of his shitty coin is a Chinese !

   But to say the economic cost would deter China, then … perhaps he hasn’t followed the news for the last few weeks ? China and America are actively decoupling from each other. It’s just a matter of time before one side decide they can live without the other.

   I hate to say this but things are not looking good for the Taiwanese.

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