Obama Will Retain Bush's Taiwan Policy

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

The Republican would soon transfer its eight-year-administration as Obama has won the election. Taiwan is interested in the US policy toward Taiwan. Obama’s foreign affairs advisor, 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 arm sales to Taiwan.

Obama’s foreign affairs advisor says, “Obama supports President Ma for his efforts to ease cross-strait tension. The Obama administration would also continue to support the U.S. selling arms to Taiwan.”

However, Obama remains conservative about whether or not the U.S. should sell Taiwan its submarines and F-16 fighting falcons. TVBS reporter Chia-Hui Ni says, “People question whether the US-Taiwan relations would change after Obama’s inauguration. In fact, most of them believe that Obama would continue Bush’s policy towards Taiwan.”

Researcher from Center of Strategic and International Studies says, “The most important thing to President Ma is communicating and consulting with the US. Because the US would 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. would retain the One China Policy, Three Communiqués, and the Taiwan Relations Act, and oppose to any change to the current status quo over the Taiwan Strait. Since the U.S. needs to rely on China’s assistance in solving issues with Iran, North Korea, and Sudan, its stance towards Taiwan naturally would not have any drastic change.