If Donald Trump wins the US presidential election, he could "abandon" Taiwan, as the policy of the United States has always been "America First,", Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhu Fengliang said today, as quoted by Reuters.
During his campaign, the Republican candidate made several comments saying that China's protection claimant, Taiwan, should pay for it. He also accused the island of stealing America's semiconductor business.
Asked for comment on remarks by Trump, who said earlier this month that he would impose additional, massive tariffs on China if Beijing's forces "enter Taiwan" and his other comments, Zhu Fengliang said that the Taiwanese people have a clear understanding of US policy.
"Whether the US is trying to protect or harm Taiwan, I believe most of our Taiwanese compatriots have already made a rational judgment and know very clearly that what the US is after is always America first" , she stressed at a regular briefing, recalling Trump's often-used slogan of prioritizing American interests.
The people of Taiwan know that "Taiwan can go from being a pawn to an abandoned child at any moment,", she added, without directly using Trump's name.
The United States is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with defense assets, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei, Reuters recalls.