US Envoy Warns Taiwan Conflict Could Eclipse WWII Economic Impact

Any conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have a greater impact on the global economy than World War II, Raymond Greene, the top US diplomat in Taiwan, said on Wednesday at a defense forum in Taipei.

He described the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as an opportunity to deepen strategic stability and prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations.

The United States considers maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific one of its top priorities, which is why it is strengthening its regional presence and partnerships as well as supporting Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

The government of President Lai Ching-te is responding to Chinese threats with increased defense spending and military modernization. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said strengthening Taiwan’s own defenses was essential to preserving peace and the freedom of its people to determine their own future.

China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, has never ruled out using military force to bring the island under its control. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated Beijing’s position on Wednesday, saying that “the reunification of the motherland is an unstoppable historical trend”.

(Reuters, max)