The former US President Donald Trump has said if he becomes the next President he will most likely not defend Taiwan against China in a war.
Trump, who is the presidential hopeful, accused Taiwan of taking away “our ship business” and that Taipei “should pay” the US to help them with defence against a war with China.
Taiwan is one of the world’s most major players in the semiconductor sector and make advanced microchips.
Trump said that by Taipei paying the US for defence this is like an “insurance policy,” which comes as China is building their navy and armed forces and it is believed by Western intelligence officials that Beijing is preparing for war with Taipei.
Taiwan under China’s control and Beijing has insisted that they will never renounce the country and that “unification” of Taiwan is “inevitable.”
Speak to Bloomberg Businessweek Trump said, “They did take about 100% of our chip business. I think Taiwan should pay us for defence.”
He added, “I mean, how stupid are we? They took all of our chip business. They’re immensely wealthy.
“I don’t think we’re any different from an insurance policy. Why? Why are we doing this?”
President Joe Biden has assured Taipei that America will come to Taiwan’s aid militarily should China invade.
The former President describe Taiwan as “the apple of President Xi’s eye,” Trump added that “Taiwan is 9,500 miles away” and the US is just “68 miles away from China.”
Trump said that since he left office in 2021 that Beijing has acted “very aggressive” and he “wouldn’t feel so secure right now” should he visit Taiwan.
In response to Trump’s comments, the Taiwanese premier Cho Jung-tai said that in recent years they have boosted their defence budget, The Telegraph reported.
Jung-tai said during a press briefing, “We are willing to take on more responsibility; we are defending ourselves and ensuring our security.
“We are also clear that Taiwan-US relations have been very strong in recent years. Maintaining peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region is our common responsibility and goal.”
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party secretary-general Lin Yu-chang said in a statement, “China is the biggest threat to the United States; this is the consensus of the Democratic and Republican parties.”
He added, “Now is the best era of Taiwan-US relations.”
However, Trump’s to be Vice President JD Vance has accused China of being a global challenge to America.
Speaking to the New York Time Vance said, “I think that we should make it as hard as possible for China to take Taiwan in the first place.”
He added, “We’re not doing that because we’re sending all the damn weapons to Ukraine and not Taiwan.”
Beijing has warned Washington that they have crossed the “red line” for promising to send military aid to Taiwan.
Tensions in the South China Sea are soaring between the US and China over Taiwan and Beijing warned Washington there will be an “imminent storm of consequences.”
Washington has promised £63.5 million to Taiwan which has angered officials in Beijing as they see Taipei as a sovereign country belonging to China, despite their independence.
