Will Trump’s tariffs lead to an emboldened Beijing in the Taiwan Strait?

“If the current tariff is sustained, and China is able to weather this difficult period, it will definitely boost Beijing’s confidence in facing potential Western sanctions in a future cross-strait war,” said international relations professor Zhiqun Zhu, from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. “Regardless, Beijing has already taken US involvement and sanctions into account when preparing for the Taiwan scenario. The significance of any additional tariffs will be marginal,” he added.

Like most countries, the United States does not regard self-governed Taiwan as an independent state. However, Washington is opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo and is committed to supplying arms for the island’s defence..