Marco Rubio Clarifies Trump’s Position on Taiwan, Emphasizes Continued U.S. Support Under a Second Term
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), a prominent Republican voice and a potential Cabinet candidate in a second Trump administration, defended former President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding Taiwan during an interview on July 18. The comments, which raised concerns about Trump’s commitment to Taiwan, came from a June 25 interview in which Trump suggested that Taiwan should contribute financially to its defense, sparking uncertainty about the U.S. stance on supporting the island.
Rubio, speaking on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, emphasized that Taiwan faces an “existential threat” from China, and should therefore bolster its own defense spending. He reassured reporters that under a second Trump presidency, the U.S. would continue to support Taiwan, as Trump did during his first term.
“I don’t have any worries about the US being supportive of Taiwan and doing everything we can to discourage the Chinese from invading,” Rubio stated, reaffirming his belief that Trump would maintain strong backing for Taiwan.
Former national security adviser Robert O’Brien echoed Rubio’s sentiment, clarifying that Trump’s remarks were intended to emphasize Taiwan’s responsibility to share in the burden of its defense, rather than a retreat from U.S. support.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, the U.S. remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier and principal ally in the face of China’s military pressure. The Taiwan Relations Act ensures U.S. support for Taiwan’s self-defense, although it does not legally obligate the U.S. to intervene militarily in the event of an attack by China.
President Joe Biden has publicly stated his willingness to use force to defend Taiwan if necessary, further highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding the island’s status and its strategic importance in U.S.-China relations.
