Scholars Say Taiwan Policy Not Likely To Change

After Obama comes into office, Taiwan will be most concerned with the new government’s relations with Taiwan. Scholars from think tanks in Washington D.C. believe that Obama would retain Bush’s policy, though. President Ma Ying-Jeou in particular should maintain frequent contact with the new administration.

The Republicans will soon transfer their eight-year administration to Obama, as he has won the election. Taiwan is interested in the U.S. policy toward Taiwan. Obama’s foreign affairs adviser, Jeffrey Bader, says that Obama places much importance on U.S.-Taiwan relations. When Ma was elected, Obama immediately sent him a congratulatory message and expressed his support for arms sales to Taiwan.

Obama’s foreign affairs adviser said, “Obama supports President Ma for his efforts to ease cross-strait tensions. The Obama administration will also continue support U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.”

However, Obama remains conservative about whether US should sell Taiwan its submarines and F-16 Fighting Falcons. TVBS reporter Chia-Hui Ni said, “People question whether the U.S.-Taiwan relations would change after Obama’s inauguration. In fact, most of them believe that Obama would continue Bush’s policy towards Taiwan.”

A researcher from Center of Strategic and International Studies said, “The most important thing to President Ma is communicating and consulting with the U.S. Because the U.S. will get involved no matter what Ma does, we need to know his plans in advance. This communication channel is extremely crucial.”

Taipei and Washington D.C. might develop closer ties after Obama becomes the new president. However, the U.S. will retain the One China Policy, Three Communiqués, and Taiwan Relations Act, and oppose any changes to the status quo of the Taiwan Strait. Since the U.S. needs to rely on China’s assistance in solving issues in Iran, North Korea, and Sudan, its stance toward Taiwan would not change drastically.