To reassure Taiwan and deter China, the United States should learn from history

ABSTRACT For the past several decades, US policy toward China has fundamentally limited the policy options toward Taiwan. For several historical and practical reasons, mistrust of the United States remains relatively strong among the Taiwanese public. Skepticism about US intentions oscillates between fears of being abandoned and being entrapped. As Washington policymakers continue to debate Taiwan policy through the lens of US-China relations, most of the discussion focuses on how to deter China from attacking Taiwan; few are articulating the importance of reassuring Taiwan. This article sheds light on the Taiwanese sentiment toward the United States, specifically the source of mistrust of the United States, which would significantly affect the efficacy of any US policy. The intricate history of the United States and Taiwan suggests that a new and effective US policy toward Taiwan should include both credible military deterrence of China and a clear reassurance for Taiwan.