Asia | Banyan

Taiwan braces for America’s election

For the opposition, a possible Trump victory is another reason to talk to China

Illustration of a chessboard with the shape of Taiwan on it. A pawn is being knocked over by a queen chess piece.
Illustration: Lan Truong

TO THE MEDIA in Taiwan it sounded like a mafia boss demanding protection money. In an interview published in July Donald Trump said that Taiwan “should pay us for defence”. Asked if he would defend it should China invade, the Republican presidential candidate noted that Taiwan is far closer to China than to America. China “could just bombard it…I wouldn’t feel so secure right now, if I was them.” He added that Taiwan “took all of our chip business” and “doesn’t give us anything”.

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This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “An offer Taiwan can’t refuse”

From the August 17th 2024 edition

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