Trump Questions US Support for Taiwan and Suggests Payment for Protection

US presidential candidate Donald Trump has raised doubts about the US support for Taiwan and suggested that Taiwan should pay for its protection against China. While Washington does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, it is a significant arms supplier to the island and recently approved a multi-billion dollar military aid package.

Taiwan, which considers itself a separate entity from mainland China, has been steadily increasing its defense budget and is willing to take on more responsibility. The government of Taiwan emphasizes the shared responsibility with the US for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Trump's comments regarding Taiwan have sparked discussions about the complex US-Taiwan defense relationship, which lacks a formal agreement but still obligates the US to assist Taiwan in self-defense. China, which views Taiwan as a renegade province, has been exerting military pressure on the island and is using tactics such as 'grey zone warfare'.

The expansion of Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC and its dominance in the industry has also been a point of contention between the US and China.