Trump’s Second Term Sparks Concerns Over Unpredictable Taiwan Policy.

TAIPEI: Taiwanese scholars have expressed concerns over the uncertainty surrounding Washington's policy towards Taiwan following former U.S. President Donald Trump's election to a second term. Professor Kuo Yu-jen, chair of the National Sun Yat-sen University's Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies, highlighted that Trump's approach was similar to his predecessors but marked by a more arbitrary style, leading to unpredictability for Taiwan and other U.S. partners. According to Focus Taiwan, Professor Li Da-jung of Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies described Trump's stance towards Taiwan as "difficult to judge." Li noted that while Trump prioritized economic interests and adhered to the 'One China' policy, he might use it as leverage in negotiations with Beijing, as seen during his first term from 2016 to 2020. Wang Hung-jen, a professor at National Cheng Kung University's Department of Political Science, pointed out that the incoming administration might favor unilateral actions and direct confrontations, unlike the multilateral approach of President Joe Biden's administration. Wang emphasized that Taiwan's semiconductor industry will be a key concern for the U.S. under Trump, potentially leading to friction with allies and challenges in the internationalization of security in the Taiwan Strait. Lai I-chung, president of the Prospect Foundation, added that the lack of a clear position from Trump on the "axis of evil"-a reference to cooperation between nations like Russia, China, and North Korea-adds further complexity to Taiwan's strategic environment. Chen Shih-min, an associate professor at National Taiwan University, suggested that Taiwan needs to demonstrate its commitment to self-defense to ensure continued support from the United States.