Recently, the Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) published three of my articles on the US presidential election, which is to be held on Nov. 5.
I would like to share my perspective on the intense and stalemated presidential election with the people of Taiwan, as well as Taiwanese and Chinese Americans in the US.
The current consensus of both major US political parties is to counter China and protect Taiwan. However, I do not trust former US president Donald Trump.
He has questioned the US’ commitment to defending Taiwan and explicitly stated the significant challenges involved in doing so.
“Trump believes that China is the real threat, which is why he might take the approach of forcing Ukraine and Russia to negotiate, with the aim of focusing all efforts on dealing with the Chinese Communist Party [CCP],” a National Taiwan University professor told me.
“Therefore, Taiwan need not worry, but I say, if he abandons Ukraine, he will need to work very hard to convince Taiwanese and America’s allies in East Asia that he will maintain at least as strong a security commitment to Taiwan and East Asia as [US President Joe] Biden,” the professor added.
Due to the nature of the US election system, voters often have to choose the lesser of two evils. Although neither of the main presidential candidates is ideal, Trump is an unpredictable, self-centered, authoritarian figure prone to blaming others and acting arrogantly and rudely.
His words and actions have already damaged the dignity and mutual trust within his party and in US politics as a whole.
The first requirement of a democratic society is to abide by election rules and laws.
His tacit approval and even encouragement of the January 2021 riot at the Capitol in Washington is something that no democratic country should tolerate.
During his time as president, Trump was often restrained by experienced advisers and established institutions.
However, if re-elected, he might boldly pursue more unilateral and unconventional policies.
A polarized US, pursuing isolationism abroad, would only encourage the expansion of authoritarian regimes and would not benefit Taiwan.
I speculate (hopefully not mistakenly) that Taiwanese opposition to unification with the CCP is purely based on the principles of democracy, freedom, the rule of law and the preservation of sovereignty — not for any selfish or ethnic reasons.
Based on that assumption, Taiwanese and Americans should support Ukraine’s bloody struggle against Russia to protect its sovereignty.
Taiwan must stand in solidarity with all freedom-loving people around the world; everyone must unite, or else we will all bear the consequences together.
Also based on that speculation, Taiwanese and Americans must oppose the US presidential candidate who just three years ago could not face electoral defeat and tacitly approved a mob attack on the US Capitol Building, which is the highest symbol of US sovereignty.
Respect for election results is the most basic requirement of democracy.
If not, what is the justification of the Taiwanese independence movement?
I hope my speculations and humble opinions are not a misreading of Taiwanese public opinion.
Simon Tang is an adjunct professor at California State University, Fullerton, who lectures on international relations.
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