Trump shows China how to handle TaiwanSince returning to office last year, US President Donald Trump has ordered military strikes from the Caribbean and eastern Pacific to Africa and the Middle East, targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats and suspected terrorist groups. As Mr Trump acts with open contempt for international law, China is taking notes. For Mr Xi, such a coercive siege of Taiwan might be more appealing than a full-scale amphibious invasion across the Taiwan Strait. Like Cuba, Taiwan would face blackouts, which would disrupt its water and health-care systems. If the world sits silently by as Mr Trump strangles Cuba, with its 11 million people, Mr Xi will see little reason not to apply the same strategy against 23 million Taiwanese.

Source: Bangkok Post March 16, 2026 23:11 UTC