Taiwan Increases Defense Measures Amid U.S. Election Uncertainty
Taiwan, under increasing pressure to boost its defense capabilities against China, faces heightened uncertainty ahead of the U.S. elections in November. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung emphasized the island must rely on itself for defense, signaling sustained investment in military modernization. This comes in light of comments from U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, who suggested that Taiwan should compensate Washington for its defense support.
Trump’s remarks underscore potential unpredictability in U.S. policy, especially following President Joe Biden’s exit from the race, transferring his endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris. Analysts view Trump’s approach as "erratic and unpredictable," contrasting Biden’s more consistent policy toward Taiwan.
Despite differing styles, both Trump and Harris signal a complex future for Taiwan. Trump’s tough stance on China has garnered support in Taiwan but raises concerns about his transactional diplomacy. Conversely, Harris is expected to maintain Biden’s policy direction but lacks his extensive foreign policy experience.
In response, Taiwan has accelerated its defense efforts since President Lai Ching-te’s election in January. Lai, viewed by Beijing as a separatist, has prioritized strengthening ties with democratic countries and bolstering national defense. This includes extending mandatory military service and significantly increasing the defense budget, set to reach 2.6% of GDP this year with further hikes anticipated.
Taiwan continues to await deliveries of $19 billion worth of U.S. weapons. Recently, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers assured Lai of forthcoming military support, including a $2 billion package. Facing a Chinese defense budget vastly larger than its own, Taiwan is also considering expanding its defense expenditure to 3% of GDP in a Trump-led U.S. scenario.
Kwei-Bo Huang of National ChengChi University notes the pervasive anxiety within Taiwan, highlighting the need to fill defense gaps across the Taiwan Strait. While U.S. election outcomes heighten pressures, they are seen as pushing Taiwan to confront tough realities and strengthen its self-defense.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/05/taiwan-under-pressure-to-bolster-defense-amid-trump-harris-election-race.html
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