Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said that Taiwan must align its interests with those of the United States and the America First policy, stating that “aligned interests” are the greatest guarantee of security. 

Lin's remarks come as the world wrestles with the recent US military arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and Trump's embrace of the so-called “Donroe Doctrine.” On Sunday, the foreign minister was asked in a televised interview for his thoughts about the impact of US activity in Central and South America, both in Venezuela and in Trump's support for Honduran President-elect Nasry Asfura.

Lin emphasized that Trump wants to establish authority despite China's expanding regional influence in recent years. The geopolitical landscape of Central and South America has shifted due to multiple factors, he said, including the effects of Trump's Donroe Doctrine, a general rightward political shift, and the negative effects of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

He said several countries have even begun comparing China and Taiwan's overseas policy, especially the Rongbang Program – though he clarified that Taiwan does not engage in confrontational monetary diplomacy. Instead, Taiwan leverages industrial advantages to help friendly countries' modernization efforts. Lin said that by leveraging the US-China rivalry, Taiwan can demonstrate its indispensable role as a partner and collaborator in joint ventures in third countries with similar ideologies.

He underscored that “aligned interests” are the greatest guarantee of security for Taiwan. In this way, Lin said that Taiwan must become a fellow shareholder of national interests, not simply a buyer. He added that he believes Taiwan must utilize the America First policy to make itself indispensable, which aligns with the strategic vision behind Taiwan's economic diplomacy and the Rongbang Program.

The foreign minister pointed out that in December, the Trump administration released a new National Security Strategy, which not only emphasized the importance of the Western Hemisphere, but also identified Taiwan alongside Japan and South Korea within the first island chain theater of operations. The US additionally put out statements of concern over China's efforts to unilaterally alter the status quo after the late-December PLA military drills. Therefore, he said that Taiwan isn't alone, but must cooperate with others.