The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election have drawn global attention. With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, how will this impact Taiwan’s national defense and foreign policy? The Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) has released its latest public opinion survey, shedding light on how Taiwanese citizens perceive these changes and their policy expectations.

Key Survey Findings

Regarding the prospects of U.S.-Taiwan relations, 47% of respondents believe the relationship will remain unchanged, while 24% think it may deteriorate, and 12% expect an improvement. These results indicate that Taiwanese citizens are cautiously observing Trump’s approach to Taiwan.

In response to Trump’s tariff policies, 27% of respondents support purchasing more U.S. weapons, while 22% believe Taiwan should encourage Taiwanese businesses to invest in the U.S. These findings reflect strong public support for deeper U.S.-Taiwan military and economic cooperation.

On the issue of semiconductor plants establishing in the U.S., 38% of respondents support such investments, while 49% oppose them. The results suggest a divided public opinion on U.S.-Taiwan high-tech industry cooperation.

Regarding the defense budget, 47% support an increase, 37% believe it should remain at the current level, and only 10% advocate for a reduction. These findings demonstrate a strong public consensus on the need to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

When asked about the prioritization of national defense resources, respondents who support increasing the defense budget believe that funding should primarily be allocated toward improving military personnel quality (40%) and co-developing defense technology with the U.S. (27%). These results indicate that the public expects Taiwan to focus on strengthening its military capabilities and technological advancements.

Lastly, regarding confidence in U.S. security commitments, 49% of respondents believe that the U.S. would deploy troops to defend Taiwan in the event of a cross-strait conflict, a figure that remains consistent with previous surveys.

Full report and press release available at: https://reurl.cc/KdDg5m