TAIPEI, Taiwan — During a recent visit to the capital, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged President-elect Donald Trump to reaffirm his commitment to supporting Taiwan in the face of potential aggression from China. Pence emphasized that the possible annexation of Taiwan by China would have far-reaching consequences for global trade, technology, and the dynamics of nuclear armament.
He warned that if Taiwan were to fall under Chinese control, it could trigger a new nuclear arms race in the region. Pence stated that smaller nations in Asia, which are already wary of China’s assertiveness, would lose faith in American deterrence. This could lead them to perceive U.S. security assurances as mere rhetoric, thus further destabilizing the entire region and beyond.
Additionally, Pence expressed concern that these nations might feel compelled to develop their own nuclear arsenals, significantly heightening the risk of a global nuclear confrontation. Despite having a complicated relationship with Trump due to their fallout over the 2020 election, Pence aimed to bolster the spirits of the Taiwanese populace by affirming continuous U.S. support.
The United States plays a crucial role as Taiwan’s main supplier of military equipment and advocates for maintaining the balance of power between Taiwan and Beijing, which has long asserted its intention to unify with the island, potentially through force.
While campaigning last year, Trump had suggested that the U.S. might reconsider its backing of Taiwan, criticizing the island for allegedly undermining the U.S. chip industry and implying that Taiwan should compensate America for its protective stance against China.
At an educational event in Taipei, Pence expressed his belief that the U.S. would always stand by its allies in the region. He called on the incoming administration in Washington, along with like-minded nations globally, to urgently reiterate their commitment to providing Taiwan with necessary support for its defense and autonomy.
Furthermore, Pence urged the new administration to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement with Taiwan, a proposal that has been advocated by various political figures in both the U.S. and Taiwan and could provoke discontent from China.
During Trump’s initial term, Pence remarked that he and Trump had successfully transformed the bipartisan perspective on China’s role in global politics. He asserted that there is now a unified consensus in the U.S. capital recognizing China as the preeminent strategic and economic challenge confronting the nation and its allies in the 21st century.
Earlier in the week, Pence attended a business event in Hong Kong where he called for the release of Jimmy Lai, a jailed publisher known for his pro-democracy stance.
