Former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien spoke on the subject of U.S.-Taiwan relations in a Trump 2.0 presidency at a symposium on Thursday.

O’Brien, who served in the last Trump administration, spoke on bilateral relations at the symposium hosted by Washington DC think tank The Global Taiwan Institute. He began by confirming that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) congratulated Trump on his presidential victory via letter, as a CNN report alleged last month.

O’Brien says this was a good reminder to the new administration and president-elect that he has many good friends in Taiwan. Speaking more directly about what to expect in a Trump 2.0 presidency, the former advisor pointed out that there will likely be strong support for Taiwan in the high levels of the U.S. government. 

“Personnel is policy”, O’Brien said, pointing to several prospective Taiwan sympathizers up for cabinet positions. Among those listed was Marco Rubio, potential secretary of state, who may draw similarities between his parent’s situation in communist Cuba and Taiwan’s situation. He also mentioned Trump's picks for national security advisor and deputy national security advisor Mike Waltz and Alex Wong– both tied to Taiwan through past experience and family respectively. 

The overall message from O’Brien was that, between friends in high places and Taiwan’s proactivity, the island will likely continue to have a strong hand in the next administration.