Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence in deeper cooperation with the upcoming Donald Trump administration. This statement came after his call with US Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, which sparked anger from China.
Taiwan has congratulated Trump on his presidential election victory, seeking to establish a strong relationship with the next US leader. The United States does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan but has long been Taipei’s biggest supporter and arms provider.
Key Points
- Cooperation and Confidence: Lai Ching-te is “confident” of deeper cooperation with the Trump administration.
- US-Taiwan Relations: The US has long been Taiwan’s biggest backer and arms provider, despite not having official diplomatic relations.
- China’s Response: China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes international recognition of the island.
- Lai’s Pacific Tour: Lai’s trip aims to fortify ties in the Pacific, where China has been poaching Taiwan’s allies.
- Taiwan-Palau Alliance: Lai hailed the Taiwan-Palau alliance as “rock solid” during his visit to Palau.
The Broader Context
The dispute between Taiwan and China dates back to 1949. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign nation, while Beijing insists the island belongs to China. Taiwan faces a constant threat of military attack from China and relies heavily on US arms sales to boost its defenses.
