As Taiwan’s envoy in Washington, Alexander Tah-ray Yui finds himself navigating a complex geopolitical landscape that has shifted dramatically since he first took office. When Yui first spoke to media outlets, he did so at a time when President Joe Biden’s commitment to Taiwan was clear, with assurances that the U.S. military would defend the island against any Chinese aggression. This marked a notable shift from the long-standing U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity,” a stance that left Taiwan’s defense somewhat uncertain in the eyes of its adversaries. During Biden’s tenure, the U.S. has also approved numerous arms sales to Taiwan, signaling strong support for the self-governing democracy.
Fast forward to the present. Now, under the administration of President Donald Trump, the mood has changed considerably. In a recent interview, Yui expressed concern regarding the current administration’s ambivalence towards Taiwan. Only eight months into Trump’s second term, the White House’s approach to Taiwan has been characterized by hesitancy and shifting priorities. Notably, Trump denied a request for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to transit through New York earlier this year, and a planned meeting in Washington with Taiwan’s defense minister was scrapped in June.
Adding to these tensions, reports from the Washington Post indicate that Trump has recently blocked a significant $400 million military aid package to Taiwan, a move interpreted as an effort to negotiate a trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This development comes at a time when diplomatic interactions between Trump and Xi are intensifying, with Trump characterizing their recent discussions as “very productive” and committing to a visit to China next year.
In light of these developments, Yui stressed the importance of maintaining Taiwan’s sovereignty in the face of negotiations that could compromise its interests. “It’s a good thing that the two sides are talking,” he acknowledged, “but Taiwan puts a very big eye on these negotiations to ensure that Taiwan’s issues are not used for trade or barter.”
While the official readouts from both Beijing and Washington regarding the recent Trump-Xi call did not mention Taiwan, the island remains under increasing pressure from China, which has ramped up military provocations and diplomatic rhetoric aimed at asserting its claim over the territory. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has recently stated that China’s takeover of Taiwan is “an integral part of the post-war international order,” further escalating tensions in the region.
Despite these threats, Yui remains optimistic about U.S.-Taiwan relations, asserting that communication between the two nations is “very tight” and ongoing. He downplayed fears that Taiwan would be left defenseless without U.S. support under Trump, indicating that the fundamental U.S. policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged. He also noted that canceled meetings between U.S. and Taiwanese defense officials would eventually take place in different venues.
Reflecting on international conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, Yui expressed Taiwan’s desire to remain peaceful and avoid armed conflict. “They’re already at war or in armed conflict—we’re not. So we want to make sure that it stays that way,” he stated while acknowledging the seriousness of U.S. efforts to resolve these conflicts.
Yui raised the alarm about the global implications of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. “Over half of world trade passes through the Taiwan Strait,” he emphasized, including the production of Taiwan’s critical semiconductors. “If there’s a conflict, the Chinese ports will be sealed, ours will be sealed, the Japanese, the Koreans’. World trade will basically be put to a halt.”
In an effort to bolster its defenses and appease the Trump administration, Taiwan’s government has committed to increasing defense spending to at least 3 percent of its GDP by next year. However, some U.S. officials, including Trump, have pushed for a more ambitious target of 10 percent. Yui pointed out that the slow delivery of U.S. weapons exacerbates domestic debates in Taiwan over defense spending, citing the delay in receiving new Abrams tanks. “We can spend whatever we need on defense, but the problem is if we don’t get it,” he lamented.
The $400 million in aid that Trump reportedly blocked falls under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which would expedite the delivery of U.S. military support to Taiwan. Yui clarified that the aid is not simply about the funds but rather the immediate access to critical equipment that Taiwan requires for its defense.
Taiwan’s commitment to the U.S. extends beyond military support. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a pivotal player in the global tech supply chain, has announced plans to invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. manufacturing during Trump’s second term. This brings TSMC’s total investment in the U.S. to $165 billion, further solidifying Taiwan’s role as a vital economic partner.
Yui’s message is clear: Taiwan seeks to be recognized not as a liability but as an asset in the global arena. As he prepares to attend the United Nations General Assembly, despite Taiwan’s exclusion from the U.N. due to Beijing’s influence, he plans to advocate for Taiwan’s recognition and contribution to the international community. “We’re not a freeloader,” he asserted. “We’re not here to take advantage of what you have, but we are actually willing to join and contribute.”
As Taiwan faces a precarious future, balancing its aspirations for sovereignty with the complexities of international diplomacy, Yui’s insights reflect the urgent need for solidarity among democracies in an increasingly polarized world.
