U.S. will not abandon Pacific allies, former Vice President Pence says in Taipei

Former VP Mike Pence urges Trump administration to renew support for Taiwan's defense and free trade negotiations.

The United States will not abandon its allies in the Pacific and the incoming Trump administration should renew its commitment to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in Taipei on Friday (January 17, 2025).

Mr. Trump's first administration, in which Mr. Pence served, offered strong support for Chinese-claimed Taiwan, including the regularisation of arms sales.

But Mr. Trump, who takes office on January 20 for a second term, unnerved Taiwan on the campaign trail by calling for the democratically-governed island to pay to be defended and accusing it of stealing U.S. semiconductor business.

Making his first visit to Taiwan, Mr. Pence said he prayed for a peaceful future for the region.

"I am convinced that America will never abandon our allies across the Pacific and I call on the new administration in Washington and freedom loving nations around the world to urgently renew our commitment for providing Taiwan with the support it needs to defend itself and its freedom," he said.

In addition to military support, the Trump administration should also begin negotiations for a free trade pact with Taiwan, Mr. Pence added, a deal the government in Taipei has long sought.

Mr. Pence, who arrived in Taiwan after a visit to Hong Kong, said there was broad, bipartisan agreement in Washington that China represented the greatest strategic and economic threat facing the United States and its allies in this century.