
Donald Trump's former vice president Mike Pence has urged the new US leader to maintain support for Taiwan amid the threat of Chinese annexation, The Guardian reports, during a surprise visit to Taipei (Taiwan's capital).
He said that ending or reducing support for Taiwan could jeopardize global security and “likely trigger a new nuclear arms race” in the Asia-Pacific region.
Pence added that if the Chinese Communist Party takes over Taiwan, smaller Asian countries will no longer feel supported by the United States.
“Ultimately, countries will feel that they have no choice but to develop their own nuclear arsenal,” the politician explained.
Therefore, he called on the new Trump administration and US partners to “renew our commitment” to providing Taiwan with everything necessary to protect and preserve its freedom.
“In addition to military support, there is no better time for the new administration than to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement with Taiwan,” Pence emphasized.
Threat to Taiwan – latest news
As reported by , China is building landing barges to invade Taiwan. According to the expert, such actions indicate that a Chinese attack on Taiwan is imminent.
At the same time, the Financial Times suggested that China's large naval exercises could be a rehearsal for an attack on Taiwan, but the United States currently does not see such a threat.