KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for key positions in his administration are being seen as 'China Hawks' by many observers. The appointments of these officials, including the United Nations ambassador, national security adviser, and secretary of state, have garnered a positive response in Taiwan, even from individuals who did not support Trump.
Sen. Marco Rubio, a potential pick for secretary of state, has been vocal about his support for Taiwan, emphasizing the need for continued backing from the U.S. He has also advocated for Taiwan to increase defense spending, a stance that aligns with security experts but may not be universally embraced by the Taiwanese populace.
In response to Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal for Taiwan to accept 'one country, two systems,' Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to Sen. Rubio and former Sen. Cory Gardner for rejecting the idea. The majority of Taiwanese citizens reject any plan that would give authoritarian China control over democratic Taiwan.
Rubio has been critical of China, asserting that the communist regime is not a friend to democratic nations. In an effort to bolster U.S.-Taiwan military coordination, Rubio introduced the 'Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act' in May 2022, aiming to deter any potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
China has sanctioned Rubio and other U.S. senators for their actions related to Hong Kong, posing a challenge for meaningful dialogues between the two countries. Despite concerns that the hardline approach on Taiwan may backfire, Trump's administration appears determined to counter the Chinese Communist Party's influence.
Rep. Michael Waltz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, shares Rubio's strong stance on China, emphasizing the need to prioritize countering the Chinese Communist Party's threat. Additionally, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik has been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, with a focus on combating Chinese malign influence within the organization.
While some Chinese netizens have dismissed these developments, citing a general anti-China sentiment among U.S. politicians, the implications of the growing tensions between the U.S. and China are significant. The challenges posed by China's stance on Taiwan and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region are likely to shape future interactions between the two superpowers.
