Description: Recent escalation in tensions between Taiwan and China have prompted Progressive Democratic President William Lai to harden the lines against Chinese covert and hybrid threats. China has ramped up influence campaigns through their United Front strategy, which entails the usage of social media platforms while carving out large amounts of cash to forward the interests of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). President Lai has pledged to take a tougher stance on Taiwanese citizens using dual citizenship for obtaining better working conditions in China. Recent imprisonments of Taiwanese soldiers accused of espionage as well as staff working in the Presidential office signal China’s relentless pursuit in crippling Taiwan’s independence and democracy. Some reports however, indicated that Lai exploited the crisis in order to secure political contingency and draw US attention and support in light of economic and geopolitical turbulations.
Impact: Under the Trump administration, the US shifted their foreign policies drastically from global outreach and influence to adopting conservative and isolationist policies. This prompted other global powers such as China to elevate pressure on primary targets of national interest such as Taiwan. The ongoing trade war between China and the US further aggravates the situation with Taiwan looking to negotiate trade agreements and consolidate the US in their support. Even though the US has officially labeled the Indo – Pacific as their primary target of interest, Taiwan is yet to receive any kind of reassurances for continued support in their efforts to counter Chinese influence. China, unlikely to succumb from the tariff pressure would continuously pressure the region into a revolving cycle of hard and soft power pressure, while the US would most probably consolidate their position around regional allies to bolster their presence and deflect Chinese efforts in the Indo – Pacific.