TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese President William Lai said U.S. support for Taiwan has grown during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Lai, speaking with a local outlet, was asked for comment on the idea that the Chinese Communist Party is fostering skepticism of the White House’s commitment to the island territory.
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The Taiwanese president acknowledged the tense atmosphere surrounding the discussion of trade recalibration between the United States and Taiwan but asserted that Trump remains a crucial ally in all other areas of cooperation.
“The United States shoulders the responsibility of safeguarding global security and peace, while at the same time, it also faces its own domestic challenges,” Lai said. “In trade negotiations, we must, of course, act in accordance with our national interests and the interests of our industries, while also safeguarding food security and the health of our people.”
“However, in diplomacy, defense, and other areas, cooperation with Taiwan — and the assistance extended to Taiwan — has not ceased or diminished under President Trump; on the contrary, it has continued to grow stronger,” Lai continued.
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, was slapped with 20% reciprocal tariffs last month as part of his broader trade war with allies and enemy nations alike.
The island territory’s inclusion in the tariff barrage was surprising and concerning for some Taiwanese citizens who saw it as a sign of waning affection from Washington.
Additionally, Trump has courted Chinese President Xi Jinping for months, leading many to wonder if the U.S. president would be willing to flip against Taiwan if support for the separatist government proved counterproductive for Trump’s rapport with the Chinese Communist Party.
Lai said those experiencing such fears must “have confidence in Taiwan and ourselves” to remain irreplaceable in U.S. foreign policy as China is “strategically pushing forward to change the international order.”
“In information and communications technology, electronic components, and many small and medium-sized enterprises, we have numerous hidden champions,” Lai said. “We are not merely dependent. We can contribute to the international community.”
Trump claimed last month that Xi personally promised not to invade Taiwan during his time in office. He proceeded to compare the situation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I will tell you, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan, but I don’t believe there’s any way it’s going to happen as long as I’m here,” Trump said. “We’ll see. He told me, ‘I will never do it as long as you’re president.’ President Xi told me that, and I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that,’ but he also said, ‘But I am very patient, and China is very patient.’”