After Trump, Biden Faces Pressure to Stand Up to China by Embracing Taiwan

“TAIPEI, Taiwan — President Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days.

His successor, President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., will most likely continue on a similar path, albeit without Mr. Trump’s characteristic pugnacity.

As concerns grow about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior on the global stage, Mr. Biden will face pressure from Democrats and Republicans to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

While Mr. Biden said little about Taiwan on the campaign trail, he has said the United States should get “tough with China” and described its top leader, Xi Jinping, as a “thug.” His transition team has already reached out to Taiwanese officials.”

Source: After Trump, Biden Faces Pressure to Stand Up to China by Embracing Taiwan – The New York Times, Nov. 24, 2020, 12:22 a.m. ET, vy Javier C. Hernández and Amy Chang Chien