Nikki Haley, a former rival to Donald Trump for the US Republican presidential nomination, said on Saturday that isolationism was not healthy and that the Republican Party should stand with the country’s allies, especially in the face of China.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Taiwan, Haley – Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations who then ran against him – said it was important to support Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel.
“I don’t think the isolationist approach is healthy. I think America can never sit in a bubble and think we won’t be affected,” she said.
Trump’s bid to return to the White House has sparked isolationist worries among US allies.
During her campaign, Haley called Trump unelectable and unfit for office, but last month she urged her supporters to vote for the former president. He faces the Democratic Party’s candidate, US Vice-President Kamala Harris, in the November 5 election.
Trump unnerved Taiwan, a democratically governed island claimed by Beijing, in July, saying “Taiwan should pay us for defence” and that it had taken American semiconductor business. His remarks pummelled shares of top Taiwanese chip maker TSMC.
Taipei’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The US, like most countries, does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state.
However, the United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier. Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties, Washington is bound by law to provide the means for the island’s defence.
“What I want to see the Republican Party talk about is freedom, standing with our allies and making sure that we show strength around the world,” Haley said in Taipei.
“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.”
After meeting Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te and other senior officials, Haley said supporting Taiwan was an issue both Republicans and Democrats agreed on. She said Taiwan’s government did not ask her to pass on anything to Trump or his team.
Asked whether she would brief the Trump campaign about her Taiwan visit, Haley said she would “not necessarily meet with his team directly”, but would do television interviews, probably write an opinion piece and send messages to the US Congress and the Biden-Harris administration.
Taiwan received strong support during the Trump administration, including visits by cabinet members and arms sales.
