US-Taiwan Relations during the Tsai Ing-wen Administration and Prospects After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The US-Taiwan relationship made steady progress after the Trump administration came into office in 2017, with the U.S. Congress passing a series of bills to promote working relations. However, the US-China relationship deteriorated in early 2020 when the Novel Coronavirus spread globally, damaging the US economy. On the other hand, the US-Taiwan relationship has made dramatic progress, including epidemic prevention cooperation and a series of high-level US officials visiting Taiwan.

Since the Biden administration began in 2021, its policy towards China has maintained a competitive and confrontational stance in response to the strong wishes of Congress. It has also advocated stronger political and economic ties with Taiwan.

This article reviews the US-Taiwan relationship under the Tsai administration, outlines the significant developments that occurred in the era of coronavirus, and analyzes future challenges facing US-Taiwan relations under the Biden administration.

Notes

1 Inaugural speech delivered by the 14th President of the Republic of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan) (May 20, 2016) https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/20444.

2 Ishihara Tadahiro, Trends in the internal affairs of Taiwan (from early May to late June 2015), the implementation of the Kuomintang Party election to determine its candidate for president, Democratic Progressive Party Chair Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the US and her activities while there, Koryu, July 2015 edition, No. 892, pp. 23-24.

3 Please refer to the following site for overseas trips during President Tsai's term.中華民国総統府、蔡總統出訪專輯,中国語https://www.presidov.tw/Page/240,English: https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/262　

4 Although a mutual agreement was reached with Somaliland in 2020, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not include it in the category of official diplomatic countries.

5 自由時報、小英出訪過境美國 同行綠委大讚「高規格禮遇」(Liberty Times Net, Xiao ying chu fang guo jing mei guo tong xing lv wei da zan ‘gao gui ge li yu’), Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the U.S. is praised by fellow Green Party members as "high standard of courtesy," June 25, 2016, https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1741434

6 上報、沒有美國脫亞論與棄台論的事 (Up Media, Mei you Mei guo tuo ya lun yu qi tai lun de shi), Report that there is no such thing as U.S. abandonment of Taiwan, November 15, 2016, Up Media, https://www.upmedia.mg/news_info.php?SerialNo=7452

7 自由時報,蔡總統熱線賀當選// 川普：台灣總統 謝謝你 (Liberty Times Net, Cai zong tong re xian he dang xuan // Chuan pu :xie xie ni), Conference call between US presidential candidate Trump and President Tsai, December 4, 2016, https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/focus/paper/1058298

8 陳永全、美國 2017 年 《 國防授權法 》 對臺美軍事交流之意涵與影響、清流雙月刊 (Chen Yong Quan, Mei guo 2017 ‘guo fang shou quan fa’dui mei jun shi jiao liu zhi yi han yu ying xiang, Qing liu Shuang yue kan), Chen Yong Quan, Implications of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 for U.S.-Taiwan Military Exchanges, Qing liu Bimonthly March 2017 edition, p. 53.　https://www.mjib.gov.tw/FileUploads/eBooks/f8ad1e7fd5994b59bc833976eeef0565/Section_file/fbbdad085d484974852199c15b4a6a61.pdf

9 総統府、「英捷專案」總統發表返國談話、President Tsai issues remarks upon return to Taiwan, January 15, 2017, https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/21050 https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/5084

 

10 風傳媒,英捷專案》與蔡英文會面遭中國干預 聯邦參議員克魯茲：美國有權決定要見誰 (Feng Chuan Mei, Ying jie zhuan an, yu Tsai Ing-wen hui mian zao Zhong guo gan yu lian bang can yi yuan Ted Cruz, Mei guo you quan jue ding yao jian shei), “China interferes with meeting with Tsai Ing-wen Federal Senator Cruz: U.S. has right to decide who to meet,” The Storm Media, January 9, 2017, https://www.storm.mg/article/210787　

11 総統府、蔡英文總統率團出訪馬紹爾群島、吐瓦魯及索羅門群島 出訪緣由, President Tsai Ing-wen leads delegation to Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Solomons, November 4, 2017, https://www.president.gov.tw/Page/379 https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/382

12 “Appearance of Taiwanese who want to join the Chinese Communist Party,” (in Japanese) Momma Rira, East Asia, December 2017 edition, pp. 61-62.

 

13 総統府、蔡英文總統率團出訪史瓦帝尼王國(原史瓦濟蘭王國), President Tsai Ing-wen Visits the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly the Kingdom of Swaziland) April 21, 2018, https://www.president.gov.tw/Page/409, https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/402

14 外交部、「我與布吉納法索終止外交關係」記者會紀要, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minutes of Press Conference on "Termination of Diplomatic Relations with Burkina Faso, May 24, 2018, https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=99&s=78177, https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1328&s=33994

15 総統府、蔡英文總統率團出訪巴拉圭共和國及貝里斯, President Tsai Ing-wen leads delegation to Republic of Paraguay and Belize, August 20, 2018,

https://www.president.gov.tw/Page/433 https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/421

16 外交部、外交部常務次長劉德立召見薩爾瓦多駐臺大使錢曾愛珠對薩國終止與我外交關係表達嚴正抗議, MOFA announces the termination of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and El Salvador, August 21, 2018, https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=96&s=74649. https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1328&s=34018

17 Nihon Keizai Shimbun (newspaper), “US recalls ambassadors from 3 countries that severed ties with Taiwan in a warning against increased Chinese influence,” September 8, 2018, https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO35143510Y8A900C1000000/　

18 自由時報、 美副總統彭斯演講全文 大力批中國、挺台灣 (Liberty Times Net,Mei fu zong tong Peng Si yan jiang quan wen da li pi Zhong guo ting Taiwan), U.S. Vice President Pence's full speech strongly criticizes China, supports Taiwan, October 5, 2018, https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/2571416　Vice President Mike Pence speaks, Oct. 4, 2018 at the Hudson Institute in Washington. https://www.ait.org.tw/remarks-by-vice-president-pence-on-the-administrations-policy-toward-china/　

19 For trends during the same period, refer to my paper: Ishihara Tadahiro, Political trends in Taiwan over the 2020 Presidential Elections: Offense and defense over party primaries, Koryu, May 2019 Edition, No.938, p. 8-9.　

20 総統府、蔡英文總統率團出訪帛琉、諾魯及馬紹爾群島, President Tsai Ing-wen leads delegation to Palau, Nauru and Marshall Islands, March 28,2019,　https://www.president.gov.tw/Page/480　https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/468

21 外交部、外交部宣布「北美事務協調委員會」將更名為「台灣美國事務委員會」，象徵台美關係緊密，意義非凡 (Wai jiao bu,Wai jiao bu xuan bu ‘Bei mei shi wu xie tiao wei yuan hui’jiang geng ming wei ‘Taiwan Mei guo shiwu wei yuan hui’ xiang zheng Tai mei guan xi jin mi yi yi fei fang), The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announce that the North American Affairs Coordinating Council will be renamed the Taiwan-U.S. Affairs Council, symbolizing the close relationship between Taiwan and the U.S., which is of great significance. February 25, 2019,

https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=8742dce7a2a28761&sms=491d0e5bf5f4bc36&s=33cf4e31ee16db0e　

 

22 総統府、蔡英文總統率團出訪加勒比海友邦, President Tsai Ing-wen leads delegation to Caribbean Friendship Countries, July 11, 2019, https://www.president.gov.tw/Page/526, https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/499

23 総統府、「自由民主永續之旅」總統出席友邦駐聯合國常代酒會, the Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan) and the President of the "Tour of Freedom and Democracy for Sustainability" attend the reception of the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, July 12, 2019, https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/24546　 https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/5775　

24 門間理良、韓國瑜氏が国民党の総統候補に決定、東亜、August 2019 Edition, p. 60.

“Han Kuo-yu is nominated as presidential candidate of Kuomintang” (in Japanese), Momma Rira, East Asia, August 2019 Edition, p. 60.

 

25 外交部、「我與吉里巴斯終止外交關係」記者會紀要, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minutes of Press Conference on "Termination of Diplomatic Relations with Kiribati,” September 20, 2019, https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=99&s=78292,　 https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1328&s=34090　

26 中央社、一週內2邦交國斷交 學者：中國測試台灣選民 (Focus Taiwan (CNA),Yi zhou nei 2 bang jiao guo duan jiao xue zhe Zhong guo ce shi Taiwan xuan min), Two diplomatic states cut off diplomatic relations in a week, scholars: China tests Taiwan voters, Central News Agency, September 21, 2019, https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/201909200195.aspx

27 外交部、外交部2019年年終工作回顧：踏實外交成果豐碩、共享價值捍衛民主自由(Wai jiao bu,Wai jiao bu 2019 nian zhong gong zuo hui gu ta shi wai jiao cheng guo feng shuo gong xiang jia zhi fan wei min zhu zi you), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Year-end Review 2019: Down-to-earth Diplomacy Produces Fruitful Results, Shared Values Defend Democracy and Freedom, December 26, 2019, https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=8742DCE7A2A28761&s=34C1252C4A52BDBF　

28 Ishihara Tadahiro, “The post-presidential election situation and measures against ‘Wuhan Pneumonia,’” Koryu, No. 947, p. 6.

29 TVBS、訪問主題：蔡英文總統滿意度與新冠肺炎疫情影響民調 (TVBS, Fang wen zhu ti, Cai Ying-wen zong tong man yi du yu xin guan fei yan yi qing ying xiang min diao), Interview: Tsai Ing-wen's Presidential Satisfaction and the Impact of the New Coronavirus Epidemic on Public Opinion Polls, March 25, 2020, https://cc.tvbs.com.tw/portal/file/poll_center/2020/20200326/d1c2bea9ec4cc133b96a8369f5115382.pdf

30 Ishihara Tadahiro, “Measures against ‘Wuhan Pneumonia’ and the Kuomintang by-election (February to early April 2020),” Koryu, No. 949, p. 4-5.

31 美國在台協會,美國在台協會感謝台灣慷慨捐助口罩給全美各地第一線醫療人員(AIT, Mei guo zai tai xie hui gan xie Taiwan kang kai juan zhu kou zhao gei quan mei ge di di yi xian yi liao ren yuan) The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) thanks Taiwan for its generous donation of masks to frontline medical personnel across the United States, April 1, 2020,

https://www.facebook.com/AIT.Social.Media/posts/10158036830633490　

32 Pew Research Center, Unfavorable Views of China Reach Historic Highs in Many Countries

OCTOBER 6, 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/10/06/unfavorable-views-of-china-reach-historic-highs-in-many-countries/

33 What follows is based on one of my papers: Ishihara Tadahiro, “The death of former President Lee Teng-hui, developments in foreign relations, and the Kaohsiung mayoral election (early July to early October 2020), Koryu, No. 955, pp. 25-26.

34 公視新聞網, 阿札爾演說 批中隱匿疫情、阻台參與WHA (Public Television Service (PTS), A zha er yan shuo Pi Zhong yin nuo yi qing zu tai can yu WHA) PBS, Azar's speech criticizes China for hiding the epidemic and preventing Taiwan from participating in WHO, August 12, 2020, https://news.pts.org.tw/article/490328

35 外交部、外交部長吳釗燮與美國衛生部長阿札爾會談情形、Taiwan Today, MOFA Minister Wu meets with US Department of HHS Secretary Azar, August 12, 2020, https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=183117&unitname=Politics-Top-News&postname=MOFA-Minister-Wu-meets-with-US-Department-of-HHS-Secretary-Azar

https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=8742dce7a2a28761&s=f70f7272a9848118

36 Newtalk 新聞、國台辦批阿札爾訪台是鬧劇 陸委會回嗆無權置喙 (Newtalk Xin wen,Guo tai ban pi a zha er fang tai shi nao ju lu wei hui hui qiang wu quan zhi hui), News, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticizes Azar's visit to Taiwan as a farce, August 12, 2020, Newtalk, https://newtalk.tw/news/view/2020-08-12/450053　

37 総統府、總統針對國際經貿情勢發表談話及接受媒體相關時事提問, In the Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan), the President issues remarks regarding international trade and took questions from the media on current affairs, August 28, 2020, https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/25537　https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/6033　

 

38 自由時報, 柯拉克：台美共同挑戰是中國威脅 (Liberty Times, Ke la ke Tai Mei gong tong tiao zhan shi Zhong guo wei xie), Clark: Taiwan-U.S. joint challenge is a threat to China, Liberty Times Net, September 19, 2020, https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/paper/1400553

 

39 総統府、總統召開國安高層會議　就中國軍事威脅與區域安全、持續深化臺美關係、穩定兩岸關係、國內政經穩定及安全、未來經濟發展等五個面向做出裁示, The President convened a high-level meeting on national security, and issued five statements regarding China’s military threat and regional security, the continuing deepening of US-Taiwan relations, stabilizing cross-strait relations, domestic political and economic stability and security, and future economic development, October 31, 2020, 　https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/25679　https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/6063

40 外交部、2020年外交成果回顧：秉持「踏實外交」初心，連結世界、布局全球、貢獻國際、彰顯台灣 (Wai jiao bu,Wai jiao bu 2020 nian wai jiao cheng guo hui gu ta shi wai jiao chu xin lian jie shi jie bu ju quan qiu gong xian guo ji zhang xian Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2020 Diplomatic Achievements Review: Upholding the original intention of "down-to-earth diplomacy," linking the world, laying out the globe, contributing internationally, and highlighting Taiwan, December 23, 2020, 　https://www.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=96&s=94842

41 中央社、外交部：台美政治軍事對話順利完成 持續密切溝通 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Taiwan-US political-military dialogue completed smoothly, close communication continues (Focus Taiwan (CNA), Wai jiao bu Tai Mei zheng zhi jun shi dui hua shun li wan cheng chi xu mi qie gou tong), January 5, 2021, https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202101070089.aspx

42 　総統府、總統祝賀美國新任總統拜登及副總統賀錦麗正式就職 President congratulates President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration, January 20, 2021,

https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/25875 https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/6097

 

43 総統府、召開國安高層會議　總統四項指示：國安團隊春節持續守護國家President Tsai convenes high-level national security meeting ahead of the Lunar New Year February 9, 2021, https://www.president.gov.tw/NEWS/25902　https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/6101

44 王定宇、美國總統大選的結果與台美中 三邊關係的未來走向、新世紀智庫論壇 (Wang Ding Yu, Mei guo zong tong da xuan de jie guo yu Tai Mei Zhong san bian guan xi de wei lai zou xiang, Xin shi ji zhi ku lun tan) “The Results of the U.S. Presidential Election and the Future of Trilateral Relations between Taiwan, the United States and China,” New Century Think Tank Forum, No.92, http://www.taiwanncf.org.tw/ttforum/92/92-03.pdf

45 頼怡忠、美國大選結果對美中台關係的 影響、新世紀智庫論壇 (Lai Yi Zhong, Mei guo da xuan jie guo dui Mei Zhong Tai guan xi de ying xiang, Xin shi ji zhi ku lun tan) Impact of U.S. Election Results on U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations, New Century Think Tank Forum, No.92,

http://www.taiwanncf.org.tw/ttforum/92/92-04.pdf

46 張國城、未來三個月美中台情勢可能變化 (Zhang Guo Cheng,Wei lai san ge yue Mei Zhong Tai qing shi ke neng bian hua) Possible Changes in the U.S.-China-Taiwan Situation in the Next Three Months, February 2, 2021,

https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%B0%88%E6%96%87-%E6%9C%AA%E4%BE%86%E4%B8%89%E5%80%8B%E6%9C%88%E7%BE%8E%E4%B8%AD%E5%8F%B0%E6%83%85%E5%8B%A2%E5%8F%AF%E8%83%BD%E8%AE%8A%E5%8C%96-031000050.html

47 魏玫娟、美國總統拜登上台後的臺美「中」關係,展望與探索 (Wei Mei Juan, The Triangular Relations among Taiwan-U. S.-China Under Biden, Prospect and Exploration), Vol.19 No.2,

https://www.mjib.gov.tw/FileUploads/eBooks/c91506cf47ff499199041cab9cca8b11/Section_file/7d4c84c69084437e9f911d3c0ce9054e.pdf

48 TVBS民意調査中心、萊豬五原則前，開放萊豬進口公投議題民調 (Lai zhu wu yuan ze qian kai fang lai zhu jin kou gong tou yi ti min diao) Public opinion poll on the issue regarding a referendum issue of import of pork, TVBS Public Opinion, Marketing Research, November 26, 2020, https://cc.tvbs.com.tw/portal/file/poll_center/2020/20201127/bc8a56ed4adc31e2c16092d7e62c46c7.pdf

49 Nihon Keizai Shimbun (newspaper), “US seeks cooperation of allies in removing Chinese involvement in core industries such as semiconductors,” February 26, 2021,　https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQODC2540G0V20C21A2000000/?n_cid=NMAIL007_20210226_A&unlock=1

50 陳錦稷The reconstruction of the global supply chain and the direction of Taiwanese economic strategy, Chen Jin Ji, Koryu, December 2020 issue, p. 9.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ishihara Tadahiro

Ishihara Tadahiro is Assistant Professor in the College of International Affairs/ Program in Japan Studies at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. Prior to that he was Assistant Researcher, National Chengchi University, and, before that, Researcher, Interchange Association, Taipei Office. He earned his MA and PhD from the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, National Chengchi University. He specializes in Japan Studies, China Studies, and Taiwan Studies.