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Taiwan braces for second Trump term

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With Donald Trump securing a second term as U.S. president this week, the Taiwanese government, which heavily relies on U.S. support for defense, is preparing to enhance relations with Washington. Trump previously suggested that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for its defense support and has criticized Taiwan for impacting the U.S. chip industry.

Trump’s approach to Taiwan is among the most significant questions facing his new administration. While the U.S. officially respects Beijing’s sovereignty under the One-China Principle and does not formally recognize Taiwan’s independence, it remains Taipei’s main political and security ally and continues to bolster Taiwan’s defense by providing weapons and training its forces.

Taiwanese leaders Lai Ching-te and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung quickly extended their congratulations to Trump. Lin remarked that Taiwan, a global semiconductor leader, would play a vital role in helping Trump realize his “Make America Great Again” mission.

“We are confident we will work well with the new Trump administration,” a senior government official told Nikkei Asia on the condition of anonymity.

The official added that China will likely work to fuel skepticism about the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and President Lai but noted that during Trump’s previous term, many high-level officials had productive interactions and cooperation with Taiwan.

However, Trump is known for his transactional diplomacy and emphasis on trade tariffs. Taiwan will closely monitor his cabinet selections—particularly in the foreign and defense departments—as well as his stance on the Ukraine conflict, demands on security partners in Europe and Asia, and whether he will intensify the U.S.-China trade war.

Analysts expect Taiwan to call for increased defense spending and to accelerate military reforms.

“President Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ approach means our adversaries will be deterred and our allies will carry a greater share of the global security burden,” said Ivan Kanapathy, a former senior national security official under Trump.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo emphasized that, regardless of the election outcome, it’s crucial to ensure the U.S. understands Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense and recognizes Taiwan’s economic and strategic significance.

Some leaders within Taiwan’s Kuomintang Party (KMT), which advocates for closer ties with China, have voiced reservations about increasing defense expenditures. KMT legislator Weng Hsiao-ling recently told Nikkei Asia that he opposed a substantial boost in the defense budget.

Chieh-Ting Yeh, director of the U.S. Taiwan Watch think tank, suggested that Taiwan should engage beyond diplomatic channels, reaching out to influential figures in Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and other sectors familiar with Trump.

“Taiwan’s leaders need to connect with people who know Trump personally and have his ear,” Yeh commented at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents Club (TFCC), acknowledging the likely policy unpredictability.

Courtney Donovan Smith, a commentator and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taichung, pointed out that some members of Trump’s first administration supported Taiwan, partly as leverage against China. Smith noted that National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were strong advocates for Taiwan.

After Lai posted on X about the enduring Taiwan-U.S. partnership rooted in shared values and regional stability, former national security adviser Robert O’Brien thanked him, hinting at the continuity of their alliance.

A confidential memo from a prominent U.S. consulting firm—seen by Nikkei Asia—lists O’Brien as Trump’s likely Secretary of State and Pompeo as a probable Secretary of Defense candidate. Additionally, Republican Senator Tom Cotton, another defense contender, has called for “strategic clarity” in U.S.-Taiwan relations, replacing the current “strategic ambiguity” and explicitly promising U.S. intervention should China attack Taiwan.

Experts note that Taiwan’s de facto representation in the U.S. will be pivotal in maintaining bilateral relations. Sources suggest Taiwan might consider appointing a new de facto U.S. ambassador, possibly replacing Alexander Yui given the changing diplomatic landscape.

Taiwan’s newly appointed deputy ambassador Andrea Yi-Shan Yang, seen as a key intermediary, brings valuable experience, having collaborated closely with President Lai and Foreign Minister Lin.

“Yang is an exceptional diplomat, capable of communicating Taiwan’s priorities effectively in Washington,” commented Raymond Sung, vice-president of the Prospect Foundation, during a speech at the TFCC. He added, “If Trump’s senior appointments are handled by professionals rather than political outsiders, Taiwan’s relationship with the U.S. will remain secure.”

In a separate TFCC session, Taiwan’s Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming expressed optimism about ongoing cooperation in technology and climate policy with the U.S., despite Trump’s previous withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

“I believe Taiwan’s contributions in supply chain stability and semiconductor production will ensure continuity in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship,” Peng stated. He emphasized that private-sector initiatives are driving progress in climate technology, with Taiwan playing an essential role in supporting renewable energy and EV infrastructure.

Similarly, Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei pledged support for Taiwanese companies seeking to diversify production away from China, in light of potential U.S.-China trade tensions.

According to Nick Marro of the Economist Intelligence Unit, any future trade war could accelerate Taiwan’s shift toward Southeast Asia or India. However, he noted that Taiwan’s reliance on China’s manufacturing advantages—such as its low-cost ecosystem and talent pools—will likely prevent a significant exodus of Taiwanese firms from the Chinese market.

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Singles’ day promotions target overseas Chinese as China’s domestic demand slows

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After last year’s Singles’ Day shopping festival in China was dubbed the “quietest in history,” China’s e-commerce platforms focused on a new strategy this year.

For this year’s Singles’ Day event, major e-commerce companies such as Alibaba, JD.com, and Pinduoduo invested heavily in expanding overseas markets, targeting the estimated 100 million Chinese living abroad with offers like discounts and free or low-cost shipping.

The central question, however, is not whether these efforts will succeed in the short term, but rather if this shift can help platforms grow their user bases as online sales growth in China reaches a bottleneck.

“Domestic consumption is quite weak right now, and every company is certainly considering new ways to drive growth for Singles’ Day,” said an executive at a leading online retailer, who requested anonymity. “The overseas market is widely seen as a promising source for additional growth,” he added in an interview with Nikkei Asia.

Singles’ Day, a one-day sales event launched by Alibaba in 2009 as a celebration for singles, has since evolved into a month-long campaign with special offers and deep discounts, culminating on or around November 11.

This year, China aimed to revitalize its retail sector with the event. Total consumer goods sales rose by 3.3% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2024, though high-end consumer spending remained stagnant. Cosmetics sales fell by 1%, while gold and silver jewelry sales declined by 3.1% year-on-year.

Last month, Alibaba’s Taobao launched a significant marketing campaign in Hong Kong and Taiwan, flooding subway stations with advertisements for “free shipping on orders over 99 yuan,” among other offers. According to the company, the campaign cost 2 billion New Taiwan dollars ($61.7 million) in Taiwan and 1 billion yuan ($138 million) in Hong Kong.

Following Alibaba’s move, JD.com announced it had invested 1.5 billion yuan to offer discounted product prices and cheaper shipping to Hong Kong shoppers. Bargain platform Pinduoduo took it a step further, offering free shipping via courier SF Express for Hong Kong shoppers, regardless of the item’s price. All products on these platforms are shipped from mainland China.

A spokesperson from Alibaba’s International Digital Commerce Group noted that since the overseas initiative launched in October, Taobao Hong Kong has achieved double-digit growth in both orders and gross merchandise value (GMV)—a metric that excludes canceled orders—on both a monthly and year-on-year basis.

The platforms are also targeting Chinese shoppers in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

This year, unlike in previous years, shoppers could combine online discounts with a subsidy program introduced by the Chinese government to boost domestic consumption, primarily for home appliances and household products. Analysts suggest these incentives will likely boost sales for JD.com, which is known for selling high-quality large appliances and offering after-sales services.

While JD.com has yet to release sales or GMV figures for home appliances during the shopping festival, it is expected to share its June-September results, along with Alibaba, later this week.

Last year, data provider Syntun estimated that total GMV on major e-commerce platforms grew by only 2.1% to 1.14 trillion yuan, falling short of the 2.9% growth forecast for 2022. Similarly, consultancy Bain predicted that Singles’ Day sales would reach 1.15 trillion yuan in 2023.

On Tuesday morning, Alibaba announced “strong GMV growth” and a “record number” of active shoppers for this year’s Singles’ Day event.

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Japanese PM Ishiba to lead fragile minority government

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Japanese lawmakers voted on Monday to retain Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as leader after his scandal-plagued coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the House of Representatives elections last month.

Ishiba, who has called for early elections since taking office on October 1, now faces the challenge of leading a fragile minority government amid Donald Trump’s return to office, rising tensions with China and North Korea, and increasing domestic pressure to address the cost-of-living crisis.

As expected, Ishiba won 221 votes, surpassing his closest rival, former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party, but he still fell short of a majority in the 465-seat House of Representatives.

Japan’s Upper House elections are scheduled for next year, where the ruling coalition’s slim majority could be at risk if Ishiba cannot restore public confidence shaken by recent scandals over off-the-books donations to lawmakers.

Amid pressure from voters and opposition parties to increase welfare spending and stabilize rising prices, Ishiba’s primary challenge is to prepare a supplementary budget for the fiscal year ending in March. This budget will require support from at least one opposition party to pass, likely the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), led by Yuichiro Tamaki.

While Tamaki has held cooperation talks with Ishiba, DPP lawmakers on Friday did not vote to retain Ishiba as prime minister. Tamaki himself faces scrutiny after acknowledging an extramarital affair, which was reported by a tabloid on Monday.

Following his reappointment, Ishiba appointed new ministers for transport, justice, and agriculture to replace LDP lawmakers who lost their seats in the House of Representatives.

Looking ahead, Ishiba must prepare for key international engagements, including the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18-19. He is also working to coordinate a visit with Trump in the US, aiming to reestablish a close relationship with the U.S. president-elect.

During Trump’s first term (2017-2021), Japan largely avoided protectionist trade measures and cost-sharing demands for the US military presence thanks to Trump’s strong relationship with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe—a rapport Ishiba seems eager to rebuild.

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Taiwan considers major U.S. defense purchases in anticipation of Trump

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Taiwan is considering a significant U.S. weapons purchase, including Aegis destroyers, in preparation for a potential incoming Trump administration. According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, Taipei may request Lockheed Martin ships and Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne radar system. Taipei also aims to acquire additional Patriot missiles and may seek F-35 fighter jets, which could spark debate in Washington.

“Taiwan is exploring this package to demonstrate its commitment,” a former Trump administration official told the Financial Times. The official added, “If Taiwan follows through, they can present an assertive defense proposal to the incoming U.S. national security adviser.”

These negotiations are occurring as Trump’s call for allies to increase defense spending has raised concerns among U.S. allies. Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official and potential nominee for a senior National Security Council role, also encouraged Taiwan to allocate more to its defense.

A senior Taiwanese national security official informed the Financial Times that informal discussions with the Trump team suggest that a robust arms package would signal Taiwan’s commitment to bolstering its defense.

“Our armed forces have long considered several large platforms and other systems, but they’ve been out of reach. Now, we have ample options to consider,” the official explained.

Another Taiwanese official indicated that Aegis would be a high priority. However, officials and defense experts emphasized that Taiwan could benefit from other essential yet costly equipment with more substantial impacts.

“If Taiwan has a wish list, now is the time to ask for F-35s,” said Su Tzu-yun, a senior official at the National Institute for Defense and Security Studies, a research arm of Taiwan’s defense ministry. Su also mentioned Taiwan’s likely interest in acquiring retired Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Perry-class frigates.

“Taiwan’s focus on increasing its defense investment is on target,” stated Heino Klinck, a former senior Pentagon official from Trump’s first term. Klinck added that spending minimums should apply to partners facing existential threats. However, he stressed prioritizing critical assets like munitions, command and control systems, air and missile defense, and necessary defense reforms.

“Requesting F-35s may not be financially or operationally practical,” Klinck noted.

Insiders revealed that Taiwan might request up to 60 F-35 fighters, four Advanced Hawkeyes, 10 decommissioned warships, and 400 Patriot missiles—a package valued at over $15 billion, according to Su’s estimates.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers, chairman of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, acknowledged Washington’s recognition of Taiwan’s progress in defense spending but highlighted more work ahead. He pointed out that Colby has a “laser focus” on Taiwan’s defense budget, adding that a substantial arms package could serve as a strategic starting point with a new administration.

Taiwanese officials downplayed concerns about potential policy shifts in a second Trump administration. “Strong bipartisan support for Taiwan is evident,” said a second official to the Financial Times. “This support is reflected in ongoing legislation and resolutions to reinforce U.S.-Taiwan relations.”

During Trump’s first term, arms sales to Taiwan included 11 packages totaling $21 billion for assets like F-16 fighters and Abrams tanks. The Biden administration has also approved deals worth $7 billion, advocating for Taiwan to allocate funds toward stockpiling ammunition and mobile weapons suited for deterring superior forces rather than larger traditional systems.

The Taiwan arms package is coordinated by two experienced U.S.-Taiwan veterans, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and National Security Adviser Joseph Wu. When questioned, Karen Kuo, spokesperson for Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te, declined to confirm whether senior officials had discussed specific arms procurement proposals with Trump’s team.

Faced with an escalating military threat from China in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding regions, Taiwan and neighboring countries are strengthening their defenses, Kuo noted.

Trump’s transition team did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Washington urged the U.S. to “halt arms sales and military ties with Taiwan,” cautioning Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party against “attempting to increase military capabilities to secede by relying on outside forces, risking regional conflict and war.”

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