United States White House correspondent Natalie Winters interviewed Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on the podcast War Room, airing this Monday, regarding geopolitics, cross-strait relations, defense, Taiwan-U.S. relations, and Taiwan’s U.S. investment. 

As the United States is the “land of freedom, home of the brave,” Taiwan is the “island of freedom, home of the brave,” explained Hsiao, who said that while Taiwan is situated in a complex geopolitical environment, its people have a steadfast heart to defend freedom.

Winters questioned how Taiwan can emerge victorious in cross-strait relations amid threats of hybrid, cyber, and psychological warfare. Hsiao emphasized lasting peace as the ultimate goal and that Taiwan hopes to maintain its free and democratic way of life.

The vice president said peace requires effort from all sides, adding that China needs leaders who recognize and respect the will of the Taiwanese people. She noted that while Beijing often frames national “rejuvenation” in economic and technological terms, she hopes any progress will be matched by greater empathy and an acknowledgement that the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own future.

When asked what Washington’s biggest misunderstanding about Taiwan is, Hsiao said that people in the U.S., China, and elsewhere often underestimate the determination of Taiwanese to defend themselves. She said most Americans recognize Beijing’s portrayal of a weak Taiwan that’s unworthy of support as psychological warfare and disinformation, but repeated claims can still influence some audiences. 

Hsiao stressed that Taiwan is building its own capacity to preserve peace and that its people will not simply wait for others to come to their aid. She urged countries that value democratic freedoms to remain alert to China’s political interference, propaganda efforts, and disinformation campaigns.

Winters, a conservative political commentator who has long focused on U.S.-China relations and national security issues, co-hosts War Room with Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist. 

Winters shared the 45-minute interview video with her 640,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), describing Hsiao as a “leader operating at the center of where history is shaped every day.”