US-China tensions could ignite over Taiwan, American former officials warn
- President Donald Trump has ‘no understanding’ of cross-strait sensitivities
- US hardliners step up legislative and military support for self-ruled island
Numerous former US officials have warned of a tense year ahead in relations across the Taiwan Strait under an increasingly anti-China US Congress and a whole-of-government approach advocating for closer US ties with the self-ruled island.
They include Susan Thornton, a former top US diplomat for East Asian affairs, who is also concerned that President Donald Trump may lack sufficient understanding of the sensitivity of cross-strait relations, which could quickly become a flashpoint in US-China relations if not handled properly.
Their alarming assessment follows the Trump administration’s tacit approval of Taipei’s request to buy more than 60 F-16V fighter jets – a move Beijing has described as “extremely dangerous” – and a flurry of legislative and other support from the US for the island in the past week.
Last Tuesday a bill was introduced in the US Senate requesting a government review of its policy on Taiwan and an elevation of military ties with Taipei.