Taiwan is the United States' 10th largest trading partner and the main supplier of the most advanced semiconductors, making it economically important to the U.S.

Taiwan is today a liberal democracy of higher quality than many others that transitioned during the third wave, making it geopolitically important for demonstrating democratic governance in Asia and potentially influencing the PRC itself toward democratic development.

The United States has maintained a significant 70+ year commitment to Taiwan since June 1950, creating reputational stakes that extend far beyond the Taiwan Strait if the U.S. were to abandon that commitment.