Trump urged to prioritize Taiwan over China talks
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- Taiwan has accelerated its defense transformation by investing in asymmetric warfare, including a plan to procure nearly 50,000 drones by 2027 to deter Chinese invasion.
- U.S. imports from Taiwan surpassed those from China for the first time in 26 years, while the U.S. became Taiwan’s top export partner in 2025, reflecting a strategic realignment in trade.
- Trump is urged not to weaken U.S.-Taiwan relations during his upcoming May meeting with Xi, as doing so would trade long-term strategic gains for fleeting goodwill with Beijing.
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company expanded its investment in Arizona, reinforcing the centrality of semiconductor cooperation to U.S.-Taiwan economic and security ties.
- Washington is urged to finalize the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment to solidify economic partnership and enhance collaboration on artificial intelligence and technology.
Why it matters: Taiwan’s shift toward indigenous defense and deepening economic integration with the U.S. makes it a more reliable Indo-Pacific partner than European allies, and any U.S. retreat driven by China diplomacy risks undermining deterrence at a critical moment—especially as arms delays already strain trust.
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