Following an abrupt start to the relationship between the two states after then U.S. President-elect Donald Trump took an unprecedented phone call from Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, U.S. policy towards Taiwan has progressed through three primary mechanisms: diplomacy measures, defense reassurances and legislative messaging. This paper examines how U.S.-Taiwan relations have developed under the Trump administration through these avenues, and the opportunities and challenges that face Taipei and Washington in the immediate future.
- Testing the Waters
- Incremental diplomatic steps
- Military sales and reassurances
- Resurgent congressional strides
- What to look for next