China has long claimed that Taiwan, a self-ruled island and a U.S. security partner, as part of its territory despite never having governed it and has refused to renounce using force against it. In May, October and December last year, the Chinese military conducted three large-scale exercises around Taiwan, further increasing the military pressure on the island.
While the U.S. is required by law to maintain its capability to resist any attempt to resolve differences across the Taiwan Strait by other than peaceful means, Trump, who positioned himself as being tough on China, has suggested he would not defend Taiwan from China.
