For sure, the Trump administration has been great for Taiwan for several reasons. But it has also been bad for this country in a fundamental way – by eroding U.S. credibility and bolstering Beijing’s ambitions. 

Let’s first take a quick look at some of the positives.  During the Trump era, a record US$18.3 billion in arms sales was approved, and the weapons systems have become increasingly advanced. We’ve seen a resumption of high-level visits, which were once common. Congress has also passed legislation – such as the Taiwan Assurances Act – that is mostly symbolic but still helps deepen the relationship. 

Of course, Trump shouldn’t get all the credit for these developments. In fact, he rarely showed a deep understanding or appreciation of Taiwan’s importance. However, he was surrounded by senior officials who were staunch advocates of this country.

Most importantly, they valued Taiwan for its own sake and didn’t treat the nation like a subset of China policy.

Let’s hope this carries over into the Biden administration.

We’re still waiting to see if Biden’s team will include similar pro-Taiwan figures who will provide a loud and clear show of support for the nation. The sooner they do this the better.   

Also deserving a fair share of the kudos for the robust relations is President Tsai Ing-wen, who has earned a stellar reputation in Washington for being a stable, prudent leader. She has been incredibly successful in strengthening Taiwan’s position as a reliable partner. 

(Source: Office of the President, ROC)

Finally, China has done an outstanding job pushing the U.S. and Taiwan closer together with its ongoing belligerence. One thing Trump was successful at was recognizing the China threat and getting everybody in both political parties in Washington to focus on it. The problem was that his rhetoric wasn’t matched with a coherent strategy that couldn’t change from tweet to tweet.

The tough talk, tariffs and tech war with China have been applauded by many Taiwanese who now fear that Biden will go soft on Beijing and revert to the failed policy of accommodation.

This is unlikely to happen because of the consensus in Washington about the serious geopolitical challenge China poses. It’s one of the few things everyone agrees on. 

A strong case can be made that China would have become an even bigger threat to Taiwan if Trump served for four more years. That’s because Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his cohort are hardcore Leninists who only respect power and despise weakness. They see more of the latter  when they look at Washington nowadays.

(Source: Shutterstock)

Beijing’s aggressive new approach to foreign affairs is largely based on a bold bet that the U.S. is in irreversible decline. With Washington wobbling, they believe they have a perfect opportunity to exert China’s well-deserved influence worldwide and sway the global balance of power in China’s favor. 

Trump has done much to encourage China and bolster the impression that the U.S. is slowly falling apart. The most recent evidence includes the shambolic way his administration has dealt with the Covid-19 crisis. His penchant for burning U.S. allies in Europe and Asia has benefited Beijing. And his special talent for stoking divisions and waging culture wars in American society have intensified the dysfunction in the nation’s democracy. The best way for America to promote democracy globally is to lead by example, showing the system works at home. 

The situation would have become worse with four more years of Trump. During the campaign, he provided no plans or policies to defeat Covid-19, strengthen global alliances, fortify democracy and unite the American public. 

(Source: Shutterstock)

Biden is promising to take a more proactive, science-based approach to defeating Covid-19, and the team he’s assembling is impressive. He has pledged to patch relations with America’s allies, adopting a united front approach to push back against Beijing. His long career in Congress raises hopes he will be able to work with Republicans on an agenda that will include things such as restoring creaky infrastructure.  

Also on Biden’s agenda is investing in research and education – a strategy that was key to making America great.

It’s time for America to stop complaining about China and get serious about really competing with it. 

If Biden can pull this off, the U.S. will emerge as a strong, competent nation that can get things done and respond vigorously to China’s challenges. Beijing may stop assuming that the U.S. is a fading superpower. 

(Source: Shutterstock)

For Taiwan, this could mean fewer gray-zone tactics and other provocations. It will also assure that America will be better prepared to come to Taiwan’s aid if the worst-case scenario erupts. An isolated, pandemic-plagued U.S. consumed with domestic feuding and hobbled by economic recession won’t be a good, reliable friend for Taiwan.

No doubt, it won’t be easy for Biden, and success is far from assured. Gridlock in Congress could continue, and restoring alliances with old friends, especially in Europe, could be challenging. Just consider the EU-China investment deal signed last week.  But Biden is clearly a better bet than Trump, and this will become clearer in the months to come. 

About the author：

William Foreman is an independent consultant, former president of AmCham Taipei and author of the forthcoming memoir “The Years of Cycling Dangerously.”

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