Vice President Hsiao on Trump-Xi Meeting: Taiwan Must Build Strength to Avoid Becoming a Pawn
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim emphasized that building Taiwan's own strength is paramount to prevent it from becoming a pawn in the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting in mid-May. She stated that economic power, a commitment to defense, and international influence are all essential, advocating for the importance of the military budget.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 23:55
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Taipei, May 5 (CNA) With the Trump-Xi meeting scheduled for mid-May, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, in a media interview today, was asked about external concerns that Taiwan's arms purchases might be stalled, and that former US President Trump might use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in the Trump-Xi meeting. Vice President Hsiao stated that in the constantly changing international geopolitical landscape, "the most important thing to prevent Taiwan from becoming a pawn is to build its own strength."
The Presidential Office issued a press release in the evening, stating that Vice President Hsiao accepted an exclusive interview with "Mirror TV" today. She responded to media questions on topics such as Taiwan's diplomatic situation, national security and defense budget, cross-strait relations, the transformation and expectations of her role, and exchanges with younger generations. The interview content was broadcast in the evening.
The host asked about the Trump-Xi meeting in mid-May, and the current external concern that Trump, being a businessman, might use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in the Trump-Xi meeting, seeing the stalled process of Taiwan's arms purchases.
Vice President Hsiao stated that Trump has reiterated many times that conflict must not occur during his tenure, and he does not want to see any conflict across the Taiwan Strait. Trump, like everyone else, values peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is a consistent cross-party position and主張 of the US government, not just Trump himself.
The Vice President said that regardless of the US's global experience or the historical experiences of other countries, everyone knows that peace relies on strength. If one does not look at the history of World War II, or feels that Ukraine is far away, one can look at familiar history textbooks: when the Qin state annihilated the six states, did these states, in their interactions with Qin, try to achieve peace with it, sign agreements, appease it, or even send their princes as hostages, or try to avoid annexation through diplomatic means? Ultimately, it all came down to strength.
Vice President Hsiao believes that in the constantly changing international geopolitical landscape, the most important thing to prevent Taiwan from becoming a pawn is to build its own strength. Taiwan must have strength and also means.
She said there are several kinds of strength: economic strength, meaning Taiwan's indispensable and trusted role in the global technology supply chain. However, if economic strength is not matched with the will and commitment in the security field, this strength will be diluted and people will diversify their risks.
She believes that Taiwan also needs to use other diplomatic means, even leveraging external forces and using bargaining chips to expand its international influence, acting as a force for good in the world, so that more people are moved by Taiwan's will and goodness, and are willing to help Taiwan.
Vice President Hsiao said that when looking at the international situation, "we cannot let President Trump or other countries think that we ourselves have given up on ourselves." This is why the approval of the military budget at this time is important, urgent, and necessary.
In addition, she also mentioned that building trust between Taiwan and the US takes a lot of time, but destroying trust can be very quick. Long-term trust includes trust in the supply chain, trust in a free and democratic constitutional system similar to like-minded countries. It also includes valuing self-defense, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and building one's own strength; one truly needs strength to negotiate with any party.
She retorted, "When everyone sees that we ourselves have given up on building our own strength, how can we expect others to help us?" If Taiwan itself is unwilling to help itself, what position can other countries take to help Taiwan? These are all questions that need deep consideration. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150505
The Presidential Office issued a press release in the evening, stating that Vice President Hsiao accepted an exclusive interview with "Mirror TV" today. She responded to media questions on topics such as Taiwan's diplomatic situation, national security and defense budget, cross-strait relations, the transformation and expectations of her role, and exchanges with younger generations. The interview content was broadcast in the evening.
The host asked about the Trump-Xi meeting in mid-May, and the current external concern that Trump, being a businessman, might use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in the Trump-Xi meeting, seeing the stalled process of Taiwan's arms purchases.
Vice President Hsiao stated that Trump has reiterated many times that conflict must not occur during his tenure, and he does not want to see any conflict across the Taiwan Strait. Trump, like everyone else, values peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is a consistent cross-party position and主張 of the US government, not just Trump himself.
The Vice President said that regardless of the US's global experience or the historical experiences of other countries, everyone knows that peace relies on strength. If one does not look at the history of World War II, or feels that Ukraine is far away, one can look at familiar history textbooks: when the Qin state annihilated the six states, did these states, in their interactions with Qin, try to achieve peace with it, sign agreements, appease it, or even send their princes as hostages, or try to avoid annexation through diplomatic means? Ultimately, it all came down to strength.
Vice President Hsiao believes that in the constantly changing international geopolitical landscape, the most important thing to prevent Taiwan from becoming a pawn is to build its own strength. Taiwan must have strength and also means.
She said there are several kinds of strength: economic strength, meaning Taiwan's indispensable and trusted role in the global technology supply chain. However, if economic strength is not matched with the will and commitment in the security field, this strength will be diluted and people will diversify their risks.
She believes that Taiwan also needs to use other diplomatic means, even leveraging external forces and using bargaining chips to expand its international influence, acting as a force for good in the world, so that more people are moved by Taiwan's will and goodness, and are willing to help Taiwan.
Vice President Hsiao said that when looking at the international situation, "we cannot let President Trump or other countries think that we ourselves have given up on ourselves." This is why the approval of the military budget at this time is important, urgent, and necessary.
In addition, she also mentioned that building trust between Taiwan and the US takes a lot of time, but destroying trust can be very quick. Long-term trust includes trust in the supply chain, trust in a free and democratic constitutional system similar to like-minded countries. It also includes valuing self-defense, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and building one's own strength; one truly needs strength to negotiate with any party.
She retorted, "When everyone sees that we ourselves have given up on building our own strength, how can we expect others to help us?" If Taiwan itself is unwilling to help itself, what position can other countries take to help Taiwan? These are all questions that need deep consideration. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150505