"Trump Declines Commitment on Taiwan, Emphasizes Economic Relations with China"

On Wednesday, during the inaugural Cabinet meeting of his second term, President Donald Trump sidestepped a reporter's question regarding whether the United States would intervene militarily if China attempted to seize Taiwan by force. Rather than confronting the question directly, Trump emphasized his desire to encourage Chinese investment within the US economy, underscoring efforts to deepen economic cooperation and mutual investment between the two nations.

In his response, Trump explicitly stated that he avoids commenting on hypothetical military scenarios involving Taiwan, adding, "I don't want to ever put myself in that position." He spoke positively about his relationship with China's leadership and advocated strongly for increased economic ties. Trump highlighted the mutual benefits of investment flows between the two countries, calling suggestions that the US doesn't want Chinese investments incorrect and counterproductive.

Trump's reluctance to explicitly commit to Taiwan's defense has been noted before. Taiwanese media outlets, such as CNA and FTV News, referenced previous incidents including Trump's December 2024 interview with NBC's Meet the Press. In that exchange, when asked about defending Taiwan from Chinese aggression, Trump similarly declined to make any firm promises.

Amid Trump's refusal to clearly state a commitment, Taiwanese media also drew parallels with recent US actions concerning Ukraine. Articles from outlets such as UDN News cited the New York Times in suggesting Trump's position toward Ukraine generates anxiety and skepticism among Taiwanese citizens regarding US reliability and support.

In related developments, the Trump administration recently released previously withheld foreign aid funding. This release included a significant allocation of $870 million earmarked specifically for Taiwan's military aid, triggering strong pushback from Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned this decision, reaffirming China's longstanding opposition to US military assistance to Taiwan. Lin accused such actions of violating China's sovereignty, the established one-China principle, and the foundational agreements between the two nations.

Additionally, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, warned Taiwanese independence supporters and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that attempts to buy protection from the US through large-scale weapons purchases would ultimately prove futile and harmful. Zhu sharply criticized the proposed $7 billion to $10 billion military purchases Taiwan authorities considered undertaking from Washington's administration, cautioning that reliance on external support would inevitably result in abandonment.