Taiwanese officials are courting podcasters and influencers aligned with Donald Trump as they grow more worried the U.S. leader could undermine the self-ruled democracy’s interests during talks with China, according to people familiar with the matter.
Trump has said Taiwan will likely be on the agenda when he’s expected to meet President Xi Jinping next week in a bid to resolve persistent trade tensions. China has asked the White House to officially declare it “opposes” Taiwan independence, it was reported last month, a concession that would mark a major diplomatic win for Beijing.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and his top officials have given a blitz of interviews to conservative U.S. figures in recent months, using those platforms to promote Taiwan’s security issues to so-called MAGA audiences. During such appearances, they’ve touted the common democratic values underpinning ties with the U.S., and encouraged deeper trade and investment links.
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