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After Trump-Xi Summit, Nature of "Taiwan Card" Fundamentally Changed
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After the summit between President Donald Turmp of the United States and Chinese President XI Jinping, U.S.-Chian-Taiwan relations have been reshaped. The U.S. is no longer playing the “Taiwan card,” marginalizing Taiwan. |
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Washington's Strategic Shift Redefines Taiwan's Position
The ripples from the meeting between President Donald Trump of the United States and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, continue to spread—especially regarding the unexpected absence of any discussion on the “Taiwan issue.” Recently, in a CBS 60 Minutes interview, Mr. Trump was asked directly: if China attacks Taiwan, “Would you order U.S. troops to defend Taiwan?”
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Despite spending large sums, the administration of President Lai Ching-te still cannot secure procured arums. Delays in arms purchases have left Taiwan’s defense hollow in substance. |
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Delays in Arms Procurement Have Rendered National Defense Resilience Empty Slogan
Since taking office, President Lai Ching-te has repeatedly emphasized national security resilience and social resilience, and has declared that next year’s defense budget will exceed 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Yet Taiwan’s large-scale military purchases from the United States have been repeatedly delayed—none of the 66 F-16 fighter jets have arrived. It is reported that the total value of U.S. military equipment owed to Taiwan has reached NT$657.2 billion (about US$21.2 billion). The Ministry of National Defense (MND) recently denied this, saying that the delayed U.S. deliveries include three items—F-16 fighters, AGM-154 missiles, and Mk-48 torpedoes—amounting to more than NT$240 billion (about US$7.7 billion), not over NT$600 billion (about US$19.3 billion).
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The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of mainland China’s State Council has increased its number of spokespersons to four, aiming to strengthen communication with Taiwan and counter the Lai administration’s push for cross-strait de-coupling. |
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Lai Administration's Efforts to De-couple from China Chances Slim
The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of mainland China’s State Council introduced on November 5 a new spokesperson—its Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Director, Zhang Han. This follows last week’s appointment of Economic Affairs Director Peng Qing’en as a spokesperson, bringing the total number of TAO spokespersons to four—an unprecedented figure that even surpasses the mainland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which holds press conferences five days a week.
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The Taiwan Power Company has assessed that Nuclear Power Plants Nos. 2 and 3 meet the conditions for reactivation; the report has been submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. |
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November 3:
The Ministry of National Defense confirmed delays in several arms procurement projects, including F-16 fighter jets, AGM-154 air-to-ground missiles, MK48 torpedoes, the Hai Kun-class submarine, and Clouded Leopard armored vehicle hubs. The F-16 deal, totaling NT$240 billion (about US$7.7 billion), is the largest. Although US$4.8 billion has already been paid, not a single aircraft has been delivered. |
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November 3:
According to Nikkei Asia, negotiations to establish a representative office in Estonia have stalled after two years. Taiwan seeks to adopt the “Taiwan” naming model used in Lithuania, but Estonia insists on “Taipei” due to concerns over mainland Chinese retaliation. This highlights the practical constraints in Taiwan-Europe relations amid growing pressure from China and Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not deny the report, stating only that is remains open to pragmatic discussions with Estonia. |
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November 3:
Xie Feng, mainland China’s ambassador to the United States, reiterated Beijing’s “Four red lines” during a speech at the U.S.-China Business Council dinner: Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China’s political system, and its right to development. He urged the United States not to cross these lines to avoid trouble. The mainland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Xie had previously mentioned these red lines in August and September last year. Their reemergence after the Trump-Xi meeting has drawn renewed attention. |
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November 3:
Due to the rapid rise in electricity usage by the AI information industry, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is amending regulations to include data centers. Large data centers consuming over 5 MW and server-hosting centers must submit preliminary energy usage plans for review before construction, aiming to enhance energy efficiency using best available technologies. |
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November 5:
Chairman Tseng Wen-sheng of the Taiwan Power Company revealed that status assessment reports for Nuclear Plants Nos. 1, 2, and 3 have been submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Taipower believes that plants 2 and 3 meet the conditions and have the potential to be restarted. |
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November 5:
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an confirmed in the Taipei City Council that previously stalled memorandums of exchange on labor affairs and water governance have received central government approval. The Twin Cities Forum, the only remaining official cross-strait exchange channel, is expected to be held in middle to late December after the Taipei City Council’s general interpellation session. |
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November 5:
CNN reported that Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a banquet in New York in late September, but several expected senior U.S. officials did not attend. Minister Lin responded in the Legislative Yuan, calling the report misinformation and accusing certain groups of conducting “cognitive warfare.” He demanded apologies from those who spread the claims. Lawmakers speculated whether Secretary-General Joseph Wu of the National Security Council was involved, but Minister Lin declined to comment directly. |
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November 6:
Taichung reported its first local case of African Swine Fever. Fortunately, the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MOA) investigation found no signs of spread. Transport and slaughter of live pigs have gradually resumed, but the use of kitchen waste for pig feed remains banned. Although the outbreak has been contained, the MOA will continue monitoring and will not rush to apply for non-epidemic status with the World Organization for Animal Health. |
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