Among multiple different changes that have come from the administration shift for the past two months, one change has Chinese American relations setting towards rocky shores.
In the 1930s the Republic of China would be embroiled in a civil war between the Communist China and the Republican forces. Briefly stopping due to outsider invasion, the civil war would begin in the mid to late 1940s, with the Communist Party getting large support from the now powerful Soviet Union. Even with some outside help, the Republican forces would be defeated and forced to flee the mainland, ending the conflict with their retreat to the island of Taiwan.
From this point on the United States would be quick to support this exiled government as the true China, establishing and further maintaining their status on the world stage. However, as the Communist Party on the mainland would begin to grow in power, the United States would begin to worry over the survival of the Taiwanese government. When tensions would build between the Communist Party in China and Russia, the U.S. would shift its views, favoring the Communist Chinese in order to gain their support against growing Russian influence. They would still protect Taiwanese independence militarily, however diplomatically from this point Communist China would be the one recognized as the true Chinese state.
Although tension shifted wildly over the years, with President Nixon visiting China during his presidency to cool relations, there would always be worries over the small island nation and its hungry neighbor.
During the past few presidencies, the status-quo would remain, where the U.S. would maintain a strict military presence near the island, to deter the Communists, while still recognizing the mainland Chinese as the true state. This would be cemented with the statement, “We do not support Taiwan independence.” being used officially by the United States’ government. This helped keep things calm officially with the Chinese, while still reminding them to not try anything with the small nation.
However, all of this has changed recently with this statement being removed from the official government website. This has come suddenly and out of nowhere, leaving many both internally and globally stunned and worried for the future of Chinese relations. The Chinese were quick to remind the United States to not support the independence of this island and to not further destroy relations between the two countries. This comes at a time of increased tension between the two entities, with President Trump’s administration coming heavily against the Chinese state and specifically with their perceived “unequal trade.” Concerns over American industry leaving the country for a cheaper alternative across the pacific has found its way in addition to other trade tensions with the new administration.
The Trump administration has also made many comments against the Taiwanese industry, claiming it has stolen American jobs, with Trump claiming to want to bring them back. This is reflected by the Taiwan government as they are grateful for the change, however, are still worried of how big of a supporter the United States government will be of Taiwanese independence. It is unclear with the differing opinions in the current administration to predict where this path will lead, but seeing with his first term we have seen Trump is not quick to buckle under pressure.
This would not be the first time we have seen this change, with the phrase being removed in 2022. The phrase was only gone for a few weeks, before being returned due to Chinese pressure. It will be interesting to see how the Trump administration will respond to these similar complaints.
