Over the past several months, Trump has imposed countless tariffs on countries. During the most recent tariff rates on August 7th, countries that have been hit hardest were India (50%), Brazil (50%), and Switzerland (39%), among others. Despite only having a 3.6% share of United States imports, Taiwan was imposed a 20% blanket tariff, which will affect Taiwanese exports such as metal fasteners, orchids, and seafood. In light of these current affairs, I sought to investigate how local Taiwanese people, specifically those in the tourism industry, felt about Donald Trump’s foreign policy of “America First.”

During my visit to Taiwan, I spoke with Jacob, a tour guide who has never been to the U.S, but hopes to visit someday, and Tiffany, a hotel staff member, who went to the United States for her last year of high school and all of undergraduate college. 

Taiwan’s semiconductors are one of the most important assets that the United States receives from Taiwan. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world. The United States relies heavily on these chips to power smartphones, military systems for the F-35 fighter jets, critical data centers, and AI technology. This crucial technology, therefore, is not tariffed by the United States to prevent potential risks of economic damage to ourselves. Taiwanese people are well aware of this matter.

“Taiwan is important for now to the United States because of the semiconductors, which are strategic materials,” says Jacob. “These chips provide a way for the United States to compete against mainland China in the technology sector.”

Despite Taiwan’s current control over this industry, Jacob believes that the United States’ reliance on Taiwan’s chip may decrease over time, given TSMC’s most advanced facility in Phoenix, Arizona. “I believe the United States’ chip manufacturing is going to plan,” claims Jacob, “step by step, manufacturing in the United States will grow, making Taiwan not important.” Efforts like these to increase production for American-made products are a key emphasis in Trump’s presidency. 

Limiting foreign aid is another major policy for the Trump administration, as seen in the withholding of $4 billion of this aid. This sparked conversations about another contentious topic: Taiwan and its relationship with China, and if the United States will continue its support. Initially, I thought Jacob and Tiffany would not be open to discussing this issue, but I was wrong. 

“Taiwan and China currently just want to maintain the relationship right now, we do not want to be a part of China, but we also do not want to go to war,” says Jacob, “Peace is the most important thing.”

Tiffany shares similar sentiments. “I do not believe that Taiwan is against China,” says Tiffany, “a lot of people do not want the war to come.” Still, “Many people don’t talk about it [war],” says Tiffany, “ but they know in their hearts that there is a big chance it might happen.”

Regarding United States support, “Most Taiwanese people believe that the United States will continue to protect Taiwan,” says Jacob, “I think currently Trump will support Taiwan if war breaks out, but in a few years, once the United States can manufacture its own chips, Taiwan becomes less important and may be abandoned.” 

Taiwanese people have many hopes, and peace is at the forefront of those aspirations. “The Taiwanese president has released a lot of friendly messages to Trump,” states Tiffany, “I hope Trump will continue to support us and prevent the war that may happen.”

“Don’t impose too many tariffs,” concludes Tiffany, “we are not an enemy of the United States.”