If National Interest Comes 1st, What about Taiwan?

The “fast and dangerous” tactic the U.S. military adopted in a recent transnational operation targeting the seemingly impenetrable defenses of President Nicolás Maduro’s residence and capturing him shocked the whole world! Discussions around international law, terrorism, the U.S.-China relationship and the elimination of an international drug dealer naturally occupied global public opinion for quite some time. Beneath all the differing opinions, however, was one unchanging truth for each country: national interest comes first. What about Taiwan?

Donald Trump’s order to bring Maduro to New York to stand trial was decisive and more heart-stopping than any AI movie plot. The U.S. president calmly watched the entire capture of Venezuela's president, which was completed with lightning speed. Immediately afterward in Taiwan, well-known supporters of the Pan-Blue Coalition buzzed online, making sarcastic remarks such as, “Trump can’t move Maduro,” “China’s emergency plans are making the USS Gerald R. Ford uneasy,” and “Quick – use Huawei to protect your national security.” All such comments were strongly rebutted.

Those who recently criticized Trump were probably not insightfully or professionally analyzing the military moves or strategies but were rather writing off the U.S. military to elevate China. Nevertheless, all these differing opinions count as free speech and thus should be respected.

The U.S. military’s intrusion into Venezuela set off a polarizing debate in Taiwan. Localists and those who are pro-America believe that since Venezuela has China’s protection, Maduro’s capture revealed that China’s military might is “more intimidation than action.” Those who favor reunification and are pro-China, however, asked: “What if China treats Taiwan the way the U.S. treats Venezuela?” When stripped of their underlying blue or green political leanings, many of the points raised should be considered.

America’s military action against Venezuela, under the guise of “border security” and “the war on drugs,” is suspected of actually being about controlling the country’s oil resources. China’s demand that the U.S. release Maduro is also in its own self-interest. If the government and opposition parties in Taiwan truly stood on the side of Taiwan’s self-interest when commenting on Maduro, the intensity of offense and defense would naturally be diffused.