Trump’s Isolationist Stance May Adversely Impact Taiwan’s Security

The Straits Times

17 November 2016

Uncertainty hangs over the future of Taiwan’s security as US President-elect Donald Trump assembles his Cabinet.

Analysts said the incoming US leader’s isolationist foreign policy stance may have an adverse impact on the island’s security, given the frosty ties between Taiwan and China. At the same time, Taiwan may reap benefits if Mr Trump proves to be pragmatic and, thus, more willing to sell military equipment to the island.

Relations with Beijing deteriorated after President Tsai Ing-wen’s China-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in May after a landslide victory over the Kuomintang party (KMT).

… But this means Taiwan may have to shoulder more responsibility, said Dr Wu Shang-su, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. “Taiwan’s military… (with) its many insufficiencies… may have difficulties to fully adapt new arms to (perform) their supposed functions.”

Categories:

IDSS / Print / Online