China Warns Taiwan Could Be 'Discarded' if Trump Wins

Donald Trump has reiterated his stance that Taiwan should compensate the U.S. for its defense and accused the island of having stolen the American semiconductor industry. His comments come as he faces the prospect of winning the upcoming presidential election, prompting reactions from China, which suggested Taiwan could be abandoned under an 'America First' policy. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, indicated that Taiwanese residents understand the precarious nature of their relationship with the U.S., stating they could shift from being a 'pawn' to a 'discarded child'. Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on China should it use force against Taiwan. The U.S. continues to support Taiwan militarily, maintaining its legal obligation to provide defense despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan's Economy Minister has refrained from commenting while the U.S. election campaign is underway.