Deputy Minister: US Loses Credibility If It Abandons Taiwan
Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung issued a stark warning in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, arguing that any American abandonment of Taiwan during the anticipated Trump-Xi Jinping meeting would permanently damage U.S. credibility throughout Asia. Wu's comments come amid heightened speculation about the agenda for the potential summit, with some analysts concerned that Taiwan's status could become a bargaining chip in broader U.S.-China negotiations over trade, technology, and Middle East security.
Wu emphasized Taiwan's indispensable role in the global technology supply chain, noting that the island produces approximately 70 percent of the world's semiconductors and essentially 100 percent of advanced AI chips. "If the United States abandons Taiwan, it would not only lose credibility in Asia — it would cede the entire semiconductor ecosystem to a single authoritarian power," Wu told Le Monde, framing Taiwan's security as a matter of global economic stability rather than merely a regional geopolitical concern.
The deputy minister's diplomatic offensive in European media reflects Taiwan's strategy of building international support beyond traditional security alliances, appealing to economic and technological interests shared by democracies worldwide. Wu's message resonated with growing European concerns about semiconductor supply chain concentration, particularly after recent chip shortages exposed vulnerabilities in industries from automotive to consumer electronics.
The timing of Wu's remarks coincides with President Lai's state visit to Eswatini, suggesting a coordinated diplomatic push to underscore Taiwan's value as a reliable democratic partner at a moment when its international position faces renewed pressure. Scholars cited by PTS have argued that China will continue to exploit perceived wavering in American commitment, making consistent U.S. signaling critical to maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait.