Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Taiwan / Will Trump defend Taiwan? U.S. defense perimeter appears to shrink
Taiwan, Air power, Asia, Balance of power, China, China‑Taiwan, Global posture, Land power, Naval power

March 10, 2025

Will Trump defend Taiwan? U.S. defense perimeter appears to shrink

In the piece, titled “The Taiwan Fixation: American strategy shouldn’t hinge on an unwinnable war,” the authors say the U.S. should assist Taiwan “from a distance,” in a potential cross-strait conflict, and ensure that the U.S. position in Asia stays intact, regardless of how that conflict concludes.

Defense Priorities’ Kavanagh said Trump’s defense perimeters will likely not include South Korea or Taiwan. “I’m less sure how he views the U.S. commitments to the Philippines and Japan. I doubt either will be tested by China in the next four years, whereas the commitments to South Korea and Taiwan might be,” she said.

Carnegie’s Wertheim told Nikkei, “Already Trump has demoted China in his political narrative of who America’s enemies are. The ‘enemy within’ takes precedence.”

Read at Nikkei Asia

Featuring

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

More on Asia

In the mediaTaiwan, China, China‑Taiwan

Trump’s Approach to Taiwan Is Taking Shape

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 4, 2025

In the mediaChina, Asia, China‑Taiwan, Taiwan

The missiles threatening Taiwan

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

September 29, 2025

In the mediaTaiwan, Air power, Asia, China, China‑Taiwan, Military analysis

Russia is helping prepare China to attack Taiwan, documents suggest

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

September 26, 2025

op-edNorth Korea, Asia, China

Trump’s opportunity to re-engage Kim Jong Un

By Lyle Goldstein

September 26, 2025

In the mediaChina, Asia

China says electromagnetic catapult launched fighters from new aircraft carrier

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

September 24, 2025

In the mediaChina, Asia, Military analysis, Naval power

China and Russia conduct joins submarine patrols—should America worry?

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

September 22, 2025

Events on Taiwan

See All Events
virtualAsia, China, Grand strategy, Taiwan

Are semiconductors a reason to defend Taiwan?

November 17, 2022
virtualChina, Grand strategy, Taiwan

Taiwan tensions and U.S.-China competition

August 25, 2022

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved