China Resumes Taiwan Encirclement After Half a Year... Countermeasures Against Trump's Tariff Attacks [AK Radio]

President of Taiwan Described as an "Insect"... "Eradication of Poisonous Pest"
Military Drills Begin Just Before Trump's Reciprocal Tariff Announcement

China has resumed its encirclement drills around Taiwan after six months, further escalating military tensions in Northeast Asia. This exercise has drawn attention as it coincides with the timing of the United States announcing reciprocal tariffs globally. Notably, China has intensified military pressure on Taiwan by referring to President Lai Ching-te as a "poisonous insect," raising concerns.

According to the Taiwanese military, the Chinese vessels spotted near Taiwan's coastal areas totaled 71, including 13 warships and 4 patrol boats. Additionally, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and an accompanying carrier strike group of eight ships participated in the drills. The operation, named "Strait Thunder 2025A," signifies the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese military sending a thunderous warning to President Lai Ching-te and Taiwan's pro-independence forces. Besides naval power, China also conducted missile launch exercises in the southern region.

Taiwan, being an island surrounded by sea due to its geographical characteristics, has about seven large ports usable as trade harbors. Through this encirclement operation, the Chinese military conducted drills encircling Taiwan's major ports and went a step further than previous exercises by also practicing precise strikes on Taiwan's key energy and port infrastructure facilities. Some analysts express concerns that considering China conducted two encirclement drills around Taiwan in October last year, it may hold at least two or more regular encirclement drills annually going forward.

This Taiwan encirclement drill began just before the U.S. announced reciprocal tariffs, prompting analyses about the connection between the two events. China faced an additional 10% tariff last month and is now subject to a further 34% reciprocal tariff from the U.S. This development is expected to make reconciliation between the two countries more difficult.

On the 1st (local time), the Taiwan military observed training exercises of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong near its territorial waters. Photo by EPA Yonhap News.

When Republican Senator Steve Daines, a close aide to President Trump, visited China on March 23, there was anticipation that a U.S.-China summit might take place around June 15, coinciding with Chinese President Xi Jinping's birthday. However, the sudden reciprocal tariff decision by the Trump administration appears to have dashed hopes for the summit.

Originally, negotiations between the two countries were expected to start gradually, beginning with issues such as fentanyl drug control, but the reciprocal tariff card was played before proper negotiations could even begin. In response, the Chinese government has expressed skepticism about the U.S.'s genuine willingness to negotiate and a hardline stance is emerging, emphasizing that China should not be led around in negotiations with the U.S.

Taiwan is facing a double burden, having been hit with a 32% reciprocal tariff from the U.S. and confronting China's large-scale encirclement drills. The Taiwanese government anticipated high reciprocal tariffs and announced plans to invest $165 billion (approximately 242 trillion KRW) in the U.S. through TSMC to build local factories, but these efforts did not influence the U.S. tariff decisions.

The Trump administration, unlike the Biden administration, appears to be using Taiwan's defense issues as a bargaining chip in tariff negotiations. Some analysts suggest that the U.S. intends to relocate Taiwan's semiconductor industry core to the U.S. mainland. It is also known that behind the recent proposal by the U.S. semiconductor company GlobalFoundries to merge with Taiwan's second-largest semiconductor firm UMC is the Trump administration.

AFP Yonhap News

South Korea is also under pressure with a 25% reciprocal tariff but is considered to be in a better position than Japan or Taiwan. South Korea signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the U.S. in 2007, which has served as the economic foundation between the two countries for nearly 20 years. For the Trump administration to completely overturn this agreement, it would face procedural difficulties requiring renegotiation and approval by the U.S. Congress.

Moreover, South Korea possesses considerable military strength and is regarded as one of the few countries in East Asia that could be called upon for participation or military and logistical support in the event of a Taiwan contingency. Accordingly, the U.S. may resolve tariff issues by asking South Korea to increase its contributions as an ally.

Meanwhile, regarding North Korea, there is analysis that President Trump's pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize requires South Korea's cooperation, which could also become a negotiation card. In any case, since these issues are closely linked to South Korea's economy and security, thorough preparation and response by the government are required.