The Global Story - If China attacked Taiwan, what would Trump do?
Download If China attacked Taiwan, what would Trump do?
President Trump is in Asia this week to strike deals with several countries, including with China.
One of the big questions overshadowing the trip is Taiwan’s future. China has long vowed to "reunify" with self-governing Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force.
On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US wouldn’t abandon the island in exchange for a favourable deal with China. But a tug of war has been playing out inside the Trump administration over whether a military battle for Taiwan – if China did try to seize it – would be in America’s best interests.
We speak to writer and analyst James Crabtree about what to expect from Trump’s visit to Asia and where Taiwan goes from here.
Producers: Viv Jones and Xandra Ellin
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Image: Taiwanese people observe the changing of honor guards in Liberty Square in Taipei. Ritchie B Tongo/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock.
Published on Monday, 27th October 2025.
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