Mike Pence to Trump: cutting Taiwan support would ‘likely spark a new nuclear arms race’
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Former vice-president makes surprise visit to Taipei and predicts that if China annexes its neighbour other Asia-Pacific countries will build nuclear arsenals. Mike Pence called on Donald Trump’s incoming administration to maintain support for Taiwan against the threat of Chinese annexation during a surprise visit to the capital, Taipei, on Friday.
On the eve of Trump’s inauguration for his second term as president, his estranged former vice-president said withdrawing or reducing support for Taiwan – as Trump has repeatedly indicated he is considering – would endanger global security and “likely spark a new nuclear arms race” in the Asia-Pacific region.
He said if the Chinese Communist party was able to take control of Taiwan, smaller Asian countries who were fearful of China would no longer feel confidence in US deterrence. “Ultimately nations would feel they have no choice but to develop their own nuclear arsenal,” he said.
He called on the new Trump administration and US allies to “renew our commitment” to providing Taiwan with what it needed to defend itself and maintain its freedom. “In addition to military support, there’s no better time for the incoming administration to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement with Taiwan,” he said.
