The US will not abandon its Pacific allies, former Vice President Pence said in Taipei By Reuters
TAIPEI (Reuters) – The United States will not abandon its allies in the Pacific and the new Trump administration should renew its commitment to providing Taiwan with resources for self-defense, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in Taipei on Friday.
Trump’s first administration, which included Pence, offered strong support for China-claimed Taiwan, including regulating arms sales.
But Trump, who takes office for a second term on Monday, upset Taiwan on the campaign trail by calling for the democratically-ruled island to pay for defense and accusing it of stealing American semiconductor business.
On his first visit to Taiwan, Pence said he was praying for a peaceful future for the region.
“I am confident that America will never abandon our allies across the Pacific, and I call on the new administration in Washington and freedom-loving nations around the world to urgently renew our commitment to giving Taiwan the support it needs to defend itself and its freedom,” he said.
Along with military support, the Trump administration should also begin negotiations for a free trade pact with Taiwan, Pence added, a deal the government in Taipei has long sought.
Pence, who arrived in Taiwan after a visit to Hong Kong, said there is broad, bipartisan agreement in Washington that China is the biggest strategic and economic threat the US and its allies face this century.
“Although the American perception of China has changed greatly in recent years, I can assure you that one thing has not changed, and that is the deep respect and support of the American people for the people of Taiwan.”
Republicans Trump and Pence have had a strained relationship since the end of Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2021. During that time, Pence served Trump loyally but refused Trump’s request to reverse his 2020 election defeat to Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. stormed the US Capitol with supporters.
Taiwan has no formal relations with the United States, which, like most countries, only has diplomatic ties with China, but is required by law to provide the island with means for self-defense.
China has stepped up its military pressure on Taiwan and is refusing to talk to its president Lai Ching-te, saying he is a “separatist”.
Lai has offered to hold talks with Beijing but rejects its sovereignty claims, saying only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
