Taiwan Election Could Influence Cross-Strait Relations and U.S. Strategy

As Taiwan's presidential election approaches, Beijing considers responses to potential DPP victory while analysts suggest a KMT win could provide strategic reprieve for the U.S.

• Taiwan's presidential election on January 13 is expected to be a contest between the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Beijing-leaning Kuomintang (KMT).
• Beijing is reportedly considering various responses to a potential DPP victory, including military displays, economic sanctions, and 'grey zone' tactics such as cutting internet cables or increasing drone overflights.
• The DPP's candidate, Lai Ching-te, is currently leading in the polls, but the election outcome is not guaranteed.
• Analysts suggest that a KMT victory could temporarily reduce cross-strait tensions and provide a strategic reprieve for the United States, which is currently stretched thin with conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
• Regardless of the election outcome, maintaining Taiwan's sovereignty remains a top U.S. foreign policy priority.

3 Articles

The Guardian South China Morning Post Washington Post