The significance of the US relationship, according to Taiwan's Foreign Minister, is highlighted by group visits, which contribute to peace and stability.

During President-elect Donald Trump's second term, the United States should boost and intensify both formal and informal interactions with Taiwan's government and military, despite the anticipated Beijing reaction of "outrage" and "hurt sentiments," according to analysts.

The success of accurately relaying information between the U.S. and Taiwan depends on the exchange of ideas between officials, scholars, think tanks, foundations, and institutes, according to experts.

On Thursday, Taiwan President William Lai, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

Lin expressed gratitude to our American allies for their bipartisan support and welcomed delegations from the U.S. and like-minded nations, as he stated in an exclusive interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

The foreign minister stated that these visits show tangible support for Taiwan and promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is crucial for global security and economic growth.

David Trulio, president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, spoke with Planet Chronicle Digital from Taipei, stating that he and his team met with the President, Vice President, Foreign Minister, and other government leaders to further President Reagan's legacy and the shared values of freedom and democracy, economic opportunity, and peace through strength.

Trulio stated that Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and a crucial economic partner of the United States. He emphasized that visits to Taiwan by U.S. civil society groups, foundations, think tanks, and official U.S. government officers are valuable opportunities to maintain relationships with Taiwan's leaders, address challenges and opportunities, and visibly promote shared values.

During a weeklong visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that has never been governed by Communist China, the Reagan Foundation, consisting of national security and business leaders, met with representatives from all three of Taiwan's main political parties, as well as top Taiwanese government officials. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory, frequently makes bombastic statements against what it refers to as "secessionist forces."

Beijing maintains that reunification with Taiwan is a historical inevitability, even though the two sides have been separately governed for over 70 years. Despite calls for peaceful resolution, Beijing reserves the right to use military force to achieve "unity."

Taiwan has significantly increased its defense spending since 2016, reaching $20 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. By 2025, with the inclusion of a special budget for military procurement, Taiwan's total military spending is expected to account for 20% of the central government's annual budget, which is higher than that of the U.S.

The Reagan Foundation has led a delegation to Taiwan for the second time in two years, with a recent poll revealing that about 70-75% of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, would support strong measures if China were to use military force against Taiwan. For instance, a substantial portion of respondents agreed that in the event of an attack, the U.S. should immediately recognize Taiwan as an independent nation.

Despite facing significant domestic challenges, China is not in a position of strength. In 2022, despite threats of "dire consequences," then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, and the Chinese response was hardly "dire." The following year, after Republicans took control of the House, the then President Tsai Ing-wen met with then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy during a stop in California, a historic first meeting between a Taiwanese president and a U.S. House speaker on U.S. soil.

In response to the U.S. and Taiwanese military exercises, China conducted three days of war games and simulated a blockade of the island. However, these exercises and maneuvers did not reveal any new capabilities that the U.S. or Taiwanese defense departments were not already aware of. Following a meeting with McCarthy in 2023, President Tsai stated, "To maintain peace, we must be strong," echoing the sentiments of former President Ronald Reagan.

Liam Keen, a representative from the US-based NGO Formosan Association for Public Affairs, stated that China's actions of mock blockades and firing rockets into the sea will not deter closer US-Taiwan exchanges. He emphasized that his organization played a crucial role in passing the Taiwan Travel Act in Congress and getting it signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018.

The Taiwan Travel Act, which was criticized by China, removed many restrictions on travel to Taiwan by U.S. officials. Notably, the act passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate. In response to China's criticism, sponsors of the law, such as Sen. Marco Rubio and [former] Rep. Steve Chabot, were emboldened, which is the appropriate way to respond to Chinese Communist Party bullying.

Taiwan's government is eager to collaborate with the new U.S. administration, according to Foreign Minister Lin. He stated that strengthening economic partnerships is crucial, with Taiwanese businesses, such as TSMC, investing heavily in the U.S. Lin also pointed out that Taiwanese President Lai has emphasized the importance of Taiwan's global role, stating, "The more secure Taiwan is, the more secure the world will be."

A war between the U.S. and China over Taiwan would be disastrous for both superpowers and the world, with an estimated cost of $10 trillion, or 10% of global GDP, according to Bloomberg Economics in 2024. To prevent such a conflict, the U.S. should increase contact with Taiwan to build trust and transmit accurate, unbiased information.