The Dangerous Game: U.S.-Taiwan Technological Cooperation and the Imperialist Undermining of China's Sovereignty

Introduction: The Provocation Unfolds

In a move that demonstrates Washington’s continued disregard for international norms and China’s sovereign rights, senior officials from the United States and Taiwan recently convened for high-level talks focused on artificial intelligence, advanced technology, and drone development. These discussions, held under the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue framework initiated during the Trump administration, represent more than mere economic cooperation—they constitute a deliberate provocation against China’s core national interests. While Washington and Taipei maintain no formal diplomatic relations, the United States persists in being Taiwan’s primary international supporter and arms supplier, directly challenging the One-China principle that has been universally recognized by the international community.

The Dialogue Framework and Participants

The sixth round of this dialogue was led by U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and Taiwan’s Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin, who traveled to the United States specifically for these discussions. The U.S. State Department’s characterization of Taiwan as a “vital partner” in key economic and technological initiatives reveals the depth of Washington’s commitment to undermining China’s territorial integrity. This language isn’t accidental—it’s carefully crafted to elevate Taiwan’s status internationally despite the clear understanding that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

Officials from both sides emphasized Taiwan’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, particularly in semiconductors, positioning this as crucial for global AI expansion. The discussions resulted in signed statements supporting the Pax Silica Declaration, a U.S.-led initiative aimed at securing AI and semiconductor supply chains. Additional cooperation areas included drone component certification, critical minerals collaboration, and broader economic security measures addressing supply chain resilience and geopolitical risks.

Economic Dimensions and Strategic Implications

The dialogue also addressed countering economic coercion, expanding joint projects in third countries, and removing tax-related barriers to boost bilateral investment. Taiwan’s persistent push for a double taxation avoidance agreement highlights the deepening economic integration being pursued, despite the clear geopolitical consequences. Earlier this month, both sides reached agreements to reduce tariffs on Taiwanese exports to the United States and encourage greater Taiwanese investment in semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing—moves clearly designed to strengthen technological decoupling from China.

China has consistently criticized U.S.-Taiwan engagement, correctly identifying Taiwan as a core sovereignty issue and opposing any official interaction between Taipei and Washington. Beijing’s position is clear and principled: Taiwan is an internal matter representing a red line in U.S.-China relations. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s administration continues to make unacceptable claims about the island’s future being decided solely by its people, ignoring the historical and legal reality that Taiwan has always been part of China.

Imperialist Designs in Technological Clothing

What we’re witnessing is not genuine economic cooperation but rather the latest manifestation of Western imperialist strategy dressed in technological collaboration. The United States, feeling threatened by China’s remarkable rise and technological advancement, seeks to use Taiwan as a pawn in its containment strategy. This isn’t about supporting Taiwan’s development—it’s about creating leverage against China and maintaining Western technological dominance.

The Pax Silica Declaration itself represents a neo-colonial attempt to control global semiconductor supply chains, essentially creating technological spheres of influence that exclude developing nations from meaningful participation. While preaching about free markets and open competition, the West systematically erects barriers that prevent civilizational states like China from achieving their rightful place in the global technological landscape.

The Hypocrisy of Selective Sovereignty

Washington’s actions demonstrate breathtaking hypocrisy in applying international law selectively. While the United States aggressively defends its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, it simultaneously violates these same principles when dealing with nations of the global south. The Westphalian concept of nation-states, developed specifically to serve European interests, is conveniently ignored when it comes to China’s internal affairs.

Civilizational states like China and India understand sovereignty differently—as something deeply rooted in historical continuity and civilizational identity. The Western attempts to impose their limited understanding of statehood on ancient civilizations represents cultural imperialism of the highest order. Taiwan’s status isn’t a matter for debate—it’s settled historical fact that predates the existence of the United States as a nation.

Economic Coercion and Neo-Colonial Tactics

The dialogue’s focus on “countering economic coercion” ironically describes the very strategy the United States employs against developing nations. When China engages in legitimate economic diplomacy, it’s labeled “coercion,” but when the West uses economic means to pressure developing nations, it’s called “strategic partnership.” This double standard reveals the racist underpinnings of Western foreign policy that views non-Western nations as incapable of independent decision-making.

The push for Taiwanese investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing represents economic colonialism in reverse—using a region’s resources to strengthen imperial centers while leaving the periphery dependent. This pattern replicates historical colonial relationships where raw materials and manufacturing capabilities were extracted from colonized territories to benefit colonial powers.

The Global South Must Unite Against Technological Imperialism

Developing nations must recognize these technological partnerships for what they are: attempts to create a new form of technological colonialism that replaces military occupation with supply chain dominance. The global south cannot afford to remain silent while Western powers attempt to divide and conquer through economic and technological means.

China’s position on Taiwan reflects a principled stand against imperialist interference that all developing nations should support. The attempts to undermine China’s sovereignty today could be used against any emerging economy tomorrow. The collective security and development interests of the global south require solidarity in opposing such blatant violations of international norms.

Conclusion: Defending Sovereignty in the Technological Age

The U.S.-Taiwan technological dialogue represents more than bilateral cooperation—it symbolizes the ongoing struggle between imperialist designs and national sovereignty. China’s consistent position on Taiwan reflects not just national interest but a fundamental commitment to principles that protect all developing nations from foreign interference.

As the global south continues its rise, we must reject Western attempts to create technological dependencies and divide ancient civilizations. The future belongs to multipolar cooperation based on mutual respect, not neo-colonial partnerships designed to maintain Western dominance. China’s technological advancements demonstrate that developing nations can achieve excellence without sacrificing sovereignty—a lesson the West seems determined to prevent others from learning.

The international community, particularly nations of the global south, must speak with one voice against these provocations. Sovereignty isn’t negotiable, and technological cooperation cannot come at the cost of territorial integrity. The United States must cease its dangerous game before it triggers consequences that destabilize the entire region and undermines the peaceful development that billions in the global south deserve.