On July 16, Donald Trump made headlines with his bold remarks during an interview with Bloomberg. He claimed that Taiwan should be paying the U.S. for its defense, saying, “Taiwan doesn’t give us anything,” and questioning why the U.S. provides protection without compensation. Trump’s comments have stirred controversy, especially after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a major player in the global chip market, saw its stock price drop following his remarks.
Trump’s statements aren’t just his own opinion but echo a broader sentiment among some Western politicians who see Taiwan as a strategic asset against China. China’s Global Times quickly responded with a harsh critique, accusing the U.S. of exploiting Taiwan’s economic value while forcing it to spend heavily on American weapons it can’t negotiate for. The editorial argued that Trump’s comments reveal a harsh reality: the U.S. wants to use Taiwan’s geopolitical position to its advantage and extract as much economic benefit as possible.
Meanwhile, the United States has dispatched some 200 military advisers to bases around Taiwan. Also, the world’s top chipmakers can flip a ‘kill switch’ should China invade Taiwan, effectively admitting that the semiconductor chips you’re buying come with a kill switch.
The debate around Trump’s remarks raises questions about the U.S.’s true commitment to defending Taiwan if a conflict with China were to arise, and it underscores the ongoing tensions and complex geopolitics involving Taiwan.
