Taipei: Taiwan should request arms purchases worth billions of dollars from the United States and create more jobs there through semiconductor-related investments to placate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, according to an American scholar. "Those two things seem to be the most likely ways for Taiwan to diminish Trump's complaints, and also reduce the fear that he will use Taiwan as a bargaining chip," Thomas J. Shattuck, a senior program manager at the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House policy research center, told CNA last month.

According to Focus Taiwan, Shattuck emphasized that forming a multi-billion dollar package of U.S. arms purchases within the first six months would be an effective strategy for Taiwan to show Trump that his concerns have been acknowledged. Shattuck highlighted Taiwan's defense spending, noting it exceeds NATO's target of 2 percent of GDP, a point Trump has previously criticized in relation to NATO allies.

Trump, set for his second inauguration as U.S. president, previously accused Taiwan of "stealing our chip business" and insisted it should compensate the U.S. for defense. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump did not make these accusations, which has caused concern in Taiwan about his upcoming term, Shattuck noted.

Shattuck argued that Trump and his administration recognize the strategic importance of maintaining strong alliances with Taiwan. Trump's appointment of pro-Taiwan figures, such as Senator Marco Rubio for U.S. secretary of state, indicates a commitment to keeping Taiwan secure and not sacrificing it for a trade deal with China.

Shattuck, who is affiliated with the Global Taiwan Institute and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, also noted Taiwan's strategic geographical position, which plays a significant role in keeping China contained. He suggested that U.S. strategic interests in the region should prevent Washington from making any agreements that would compromise Taiwan's status.