Trump’s China strategy evolvingBy Juan Fernando Herrera RamosFor Taiwan, the intensifying confrontation between the US and China is often discussed through arms sales, military exercises and diplomatic statements in the Indo-Pacific region. China has invested heavily in Venezuela as a strategic partner, securing access to energy resources and political backing in international forums. Honduras’ decision in 2023 to sever ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing was widely seen as part of China’s strategy to further shrink Taiwan’s diplomatic space. The package was approved amid heightened Chinese military activity around Taiwan, signaling that US commitments to Taiwan are being reinforced even as tensions rise. The arrest of Maduro therefore matters in Taipei not because it concerns Venezuela itself, but because it illustrates a broader shift in US strategy.

Source: Taipei Times January 09, 2026 17:45 UTC