The Trump administration released its latest 'National Security Strategy' (NSS) on the 4th, reaffirming that the US does not support any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It stresses the necessity to strengthen the capabilities of the US and its allies within the first island chain of the Pacific to deter any action aimed at seizing Taiwan or prevent the formation of a military balance unfavorable to the US, thereby ensuring the possibility of defending Taiwan.
According to United Daily News, each US president typically releases an NSS during their term, helping shape the US government's budget allocations and policy priorities. In the latest NSS, Taiwan is mentioned eight times. The report urges Japan and South Korea to increase their defense spending and focuses on developing capabilities to deter adversaries and protect the first island chain. The US will further strengthen and consolidate its military presence in the Western Pacific, and will continue to emphasize the importance of increased defense spending in its interactions with Taiwan and Australia.
The US Must Maintain Dominance in the Western Hemisphere
The updated NSS states that the US must maintain dominance in the Western Hemisphere, 'which is a necessary condition for our security and prosperity.' Regarding Taiwan, the focus is on Taiwan's dominant role in semiconductor manufacturing. Taiwan also provides a direct gateway to the second island chain, dividing Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia into two distinct theaters. Since a third of global shipping passes through the South China Sea every year, this has a significant impact on the US economy.
The NSS points out that maintaining military superiority is the ideal method to deter conflict over Taiwan and remains a US priority. The US will also adhere to its longstanding policy statement toward Taiwan, specifically that the US does not support any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Does Not Reiterate 'Non-support for Taiwan Independence' Like the Biden Administration
Compared to the previous Biden administration's NSS, the new NSS refers more directly to 'Taiwan,' rather than the 'Taiwan Strait.' Additionally, it does not reiterate the Biden administration’s stance of not supporting Taiwan independence, but instead states that the US does not support any unilateral changes to the Taiwan Strait status quo. This is consistent with the US State Department's position when it updated the 'fact sheet' on US-Taiwan relations earlier this year, but while the State Department used the wording 'we oppose,' the latest NSS changes this to 'do not support.'
Regarding mainland China, the latest NSS mentions it 21 times. Apart from careful wording, it also avoids using overly strong language. The first NSS of Trump’s initial term was released in December 2017, focusing mainly on the strategic competition between the US and Russia and China, and officially designated China as a strategic competitor—an important turning point marking the shift of US-China relations from engagement to competition.