US House Speaker Reaffirms Taiwan is Crucial to American Security and Semiconductors

In an interview with American media on Tuesday, U.S. House Speaker Johnson reiterated the United States' policy stance on Taiwan, stating that Taiwan's "stability and independence" are vital to U.S. national security and economic interests. Johnson said that as a key democratic partner in the Asia-Pacific region, maintaining the status quo in Taiwan helps curb the escalation of regional tensions and ensures U.S. security in high-tech industries such as supply chains and semiconductors. These remarks come at a time of continued tension in U.S.-China relations and frequent cross-strait political interactions, demonstrating that the United States still regards Taiwan as a core fulcrum in its Indo-Pacific strategy.

Regarding cross-strait relations, following the recently concluded summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, cross-strait leaders have yet to reach substantive consensus on sensitive issues, leaving the situation in the Taiwan Strait uncertain. The United States has long based its approach on the "One China" policy while maintaining military support for Taiwan through the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. Johnson's statement echoes the budgets for arms sales to Taiwan repeatedly passed by the U.S. Congress in the past, and implies that the U.S. will continue to step up its military assistance to Taiwan in the future to prevent any unilateral actions to alter the status quo.

According to Johnson, total arms sales to Taiwan are expected to reach approximately $40 billion across U.S. President Trump's two terms. This amount includes advanced air defense systems, naval vessels, fighter jet components, and other high-end weapon platforms, representing the highest level of U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation. The U.S. Congress has previously reviewed and approved arms sales of a similar scale multiple times, believing that such moves not only enhance Taiwan's self-defense capabilities but also strategically counter mainland China's military expansion. Nonetheless, arms sales must still go through review procedures by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of State, and continue to face strong protests and pressure from China at the international legal and diplomatic levels.

On the economic front, Taiwan is a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, particularly in advanced-node wafer foundry capacity. Johnson pointed out that Taiwan's industrial stability is directly related to the supply security of U.S. technology companies. If a conflict were to occur in the Taiwan Strait, it could potentially trigger a global chip shortage, further impacting supply chains in the United States and globally. To this end, the United States is not only providing military support but also deepening its economic and technological ties with Taiwan, including investments in research and development, talent exchanges, and supply chain diversification strategies.

Finally, Johnson's remarks have drawn widespread domestic and international attention. On the Taiwanese side, the government has stated that it will continue to maintain close communication with the United States and expressed gratitude for U.S. support in the security and economic realms; mainland China has condemned the United States for "interference in internal affairs" and warned that it will take necessary measures in response. There are also differing voices within the U.S. Congress, with some lawmakers calling for restraint in arms sales to avoid exacerbating regional tensions. Overall, Johnson's statements highlight the dual considerations of the United States in its Indo-Pacific strategy: safeguarding its own security and economic interests while maintaining strategic balance amidst great power competition. The future trajectory of U.S.-Taiwan relations will continue to be shaped by the intertwined influences of international politics, military affairs, and economics. (Source: Central News Agency)