During a visit to Taiwan, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who previously contested against Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, underscored the dangers of isolationism and emphasized the importance of the United States standing by its allies in the face of global threats. Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Haley made it clear that supporting nations like Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel is vital for maintaining global stability and countering authoritarian regimes.
"I don't think the isolationist approach is healthy," Haley stated, emphasizing that the U.S. cannot afford to "sit in a bubble" and ignore the global impact of its policies. Her comments come at a time when concerns about isolationism have resurfaced, particularly with Trump's campaign to regain the presidency, which has left some U.S. allies uneasy.
Haley, who served under Trump's administration, highlighted the critical nature of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. Taiwan, a democratically governed island that China claims as its own, has been a focal point in discussions about U.S. foreign policy. Despite the U.S. not officially recognizing Taiwan, it remains the island's most crucial backer and primary arms supplier. However, Trump's past remarks, such as suggesting Taiwan should pay the U.S. for defense, have raised alarms in Taipei and among other U.S. allies.
During her campaign, Haley was openly critical of Trump, labeling him as unelectable and questioning his fitness for office. However, she has since pivoted, urging her supporters to back him in the upcoming election against Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. On her visit to Taiwan, Haley expressed support for Trump's previous foreign policy initiatives, particularly in countering China's influence and sanctioning adversaries like Russia and North Korea.
"I think that all of that strength that we showed is the reason that we didn't see any wars, we didn't see any invasions, we didn't see any harm that happened during that time," Haley remarked, reflecting on her tenure under Trump. She argued that Trump's approach had helped maintain global peace and that his return to office would restore that stability.
Trump has claimed that he would be able to end the conflict in Ukraine quickly if re-elected, though this assertion has been met with skepticism, including from Russia's UN ambassador. Trump's stance on Ukraine has varied, oscillating between criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine and expressions of backing for the country's defense. His running mate, Senator JD Vance, has been a prominent voice in opposing the substantial U.S. aid sent to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022.
Haley's visit to Taiwan also served to highlight the bipartisan consensus on the threats posed by China. She noted that both Republicans and Democrats agree on the need to support Taiwan against Chinese aggression. "We don't want to see communist China win. We don't want to see Russia win. We don't want to see Iran or North Korea win," Haley declared, framing the U.S. role as one of global leadership against authoritarian regimes.
During her visit, Haley met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and other senior leaders. She advocated for increased international support for Taiwan, including its full membership in the United Nations, and called for a coordinated effort to push back against China's territorial claims over the island.
