Tue Feb 25 08:59:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Ukraine Shift Sparks Taiwan Concerns
**Bangkok, February 25, 2025** – President Trump’s dramatic reversal of US policy towards Ukraine has ignited concerns about China’s potential response regarding Taiwan. Trump’s recent statements, including falsely claiming Ukraine started the war and questioning the legitimacy of President Zelenskyy’s government, have prompted fears that China might feel emboldened to escalate its territorial claims on Taiwan.
While experts believe China is currently adopting a wait-and-see approach, Trump’s actions have raised serious questions about the reliability of US support for Taiwan. French President Macron, in advance of a meeting with Trump, emphasized the importance of a strong stance against Russia, warning that weakness towards Putin undermines credibility with China.
The abrupt shift in US policy has already led to anxieties in Taiwan about the potential for the US to withdraw support. Experts, including Russell Hsiao of the Global Taiwan Institute, believe that while Beijing is closely monitoring the situation, a hasty action is unlikely due to Trump’s unpredictable nature.
However, the shift is strengthening Beijing’s narrative that US support is unreliable, bolstering their campaign to discredit the US and suggest Chinese domination is inevitable. This sentiment was echoed by Daniel Russel of the Asia Society Policy Institute, who highlighted the potential for US allies in Asia to reconsider their reliance on the US.
Despite Trump’s past popularity in Taiwan, his recent criticisms of the island, including demands for payment for military defense and accusations of stealing semiconductor manufacturing, have fueled uncertainty. While Trump has appointed several China hawks to his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Hegseth’s statements suggesting a shift in US focus from Ukraine to the Asia-Pacific region have raised further concerns.
Meia Nouwens of the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that this shift could provide China with an opportunity to exploit US perceived unreliability. However, she doesn’t believe Beijing will automatically equate concessions in Ukraine with a similar approach towards Taiwan.
Euan Graham of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute suggests that the US may be attempting, albeit misguidedly, to resolve the Ukraine conflict to focus on China. He emphasizes that, while concerning, this approach may not be replicated with regards to Taiwan. The situation remains tense, with the impact of Trump’s unpredictable actions on the delicate balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region yet to fully unfold.
First Piper 