How the US Under Trump Fits Into China-Taiwan Tensions

Wealthy, democratic and strategically located off the Chinese coast, Taiwan has long been the most volatile issue between the US and China. The US has helped arm Taiwan and, under President Joe Biden, made clear it would defend the self-ruling democracy in the event of an invasion. All the while, China has intensified military exercises off its coast, which President Xi Jinping views as his country’s lost territory destined for unification.

Under President Donald Trump — whose transactional approach to foreign policy has often left allies unsure of where they stand — Washington’s backing of Taiwan no longer looks guaranteed. In February, he declined to say whether it was US policy to stop China from taking the island by force.