Trump Should Rein In Taiwan

Key Arguments

The article's central argument is that the Trump administration should intervene to prevent Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te from pushing Taiwan closer to independence, which risks provoking China and leading to war. It draws parallels to President Bush's actions regarding Taiwanese independence in 2002.

Lai Ching-te's Actions

The article details President Lai's actions, including designating China as a hostile force and unveiling measures to counter Chinese influence. These actions, while strengthening Taiwan's defenses in some ways, are viewed as unnecessarily provocative by the author. The author points out Lai's use of "salami-slicing" tactics to gradually assert Taiwanese sovereignty.

Risks of Escalation

The article highlights the significant risks of escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, citing US intelligence assessments suggesting China's potential to seize Taiwan by 2027. It emphasizes that Lai's actions increase the likelihood of China taking military action.

Proposed Solutions

The author proposes several solutions, including:

• Trump should directly address Lai, urging restraint and clarifying that US support isn't unconditional.
• Trump and Xi should engage in a public exchange of assurances, with the US affirming its acceptance of peaceful resolutions and China committing to no timeline for seizing Taiwan.
• Re-establishing cross-strait dialogue to de-escalate the situation. This might involve Taiwan reaffirming the 'one China' principle.

The author contends that these steps are necessary to prevent a potentially devastating conflict.

Conclusion

The article concludes by arguing that a measured approach similar to Bush's 2002 actions is necessary to avoid a worsening of the situation. The author stresses the potential costs of war for the United States and the need for preventing further escalation.