TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Representative to the UK Vincent Yao (姚金祥) said US support for Taiwan remains strong despite softer rhetoric toward China, CNA reported Monday.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Yao said Washington’s actions mattered more than forceful public statements. Although the Trump administration has reduced its public criticism of Beijing, it has continued to strengthen US military power and regional partnerships, he said.
Yao pointed to US alliances with Japan and South Korea, the Australia-UK-US security partnership, and the Quad grouping of the US, Japan, Australia, and India as evidence that Washington has not weakened its response to China’s ambitions.
The Trump administration has largely continued the China policy of the previous Biden administration, Yao said. The main difference is that Trump officials speak less publicly about their strategy and place greater emphasis on practical measures, he said.
Washington is also seeking to reduce the risk of conflict and miscalculation in US-China relations while strengthening its military posture in the Indo-Pacific, Yao said.
Yao cited US pressure on allies to increase defense spending and Washington’s approval of US$11 billion (NT$347 billion) in arms sales to Taiwan in 2025. Such measures increase the cost and risk Beijing would face if it used force against Taiwan, he said.
Turning to Beijing’s calculations, Yao said China had learned from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Iran that starting a war was easier than ending one. That lesson, he said, might help explain Beijing’s recent public emphasis on peace and stability.
However, Yao acknowledged that softer language from Beijing does not mean pressure on Taiwan has eased. Chinese military and coast guard activity around Taiwan has become more aggressive, while other operations could help Beijing prepare for a future blockade, he said.
Yao warned that an international order based on powerful countries dividing the world into spheres of influence could have disastrous consequences. Taiwan supports stable US-China relations but opposes Washington and Beijing making decisions that affect other countries without consulting them, he said.
Yao said he remains confident that the overall direction of US policy toward Taiwan and China will continue. Observers should judge Washington by its actions rather than its public statements, he said.
