Trump test could prove toughest challenge for Taiwan’s next president William Lai

If Trump beats Joe Biden, former US president’s unpredictability and America-first approach could be a major headache for incoming Taiwanese leader

Trump took confrontational stance towards Beijing when in office, but has also refused to say if he thinks the US should help Taiwan if it is attacked

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Donald Trump appears increasingly likely to secure the Republic nomination. Photo: AP

Published: 10:00am, 28 Jan 2024Updated: 7:10pm, 28 Jan 2024

The prospect that Donald Trump could return to power is one of the major challenges facing Taiwan’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te.

Although Trump took a confrontational stance towards Beijing as president, since losing the 2020 election he has accused Taiwan of “taking away” chip business from the United States and questioned whether America should come to its aid if attacked by mainland China.

Lai will face a tough task in keeping the US onside if Trump wins, analysts said, especially given his transactional approach to international relations as well as his America-first and isolationist leanings.

Lai, who secured an unprecedented third term for the Democratic Progressive Party this month, will take office on May 20 when Tsai Ing-wen ends her second four-year term.

But attention is already turning to November’s US presidential election, which is looking increasingly likely to be a repeat of the 2020 match-up between Trump and Joe Biden.

Trump appears on course to secure the Republican nomination for the third time despite the multiple court cases he is facing, including criminal charges relating to his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election result and others that could result in a jail sentence.

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