Bloomberg Interview with Trump: Defending Taiwan is a bit difficult, semiconductors are profitable, the US should be paid protection fees.

Bloomberg revealed in the interview with Trump that he disclosed significant changes in the long-standing foreign policy of the United States, especially regarding Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.

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Trump's Transactional Foreign Policy: Potential Global Turmoil

Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy and his desire to "win" in every deal may have far-reaching implications globally, potentially damaging America's alliances. When asked about the U.S.' defense commitment to Taiwan, Trump indicated that despite recent bipartisan support for Taiwan, his stance against Chinese aggression is lukewarm at best.

Reassessing U.S. Commitments to Taiwan and Saudi Arabia

Skepticism Towards Taiwan

Trump's skepticism towards Taiwan partly stems from economic grievances. He stated, "Taiwan took our chip business. How stupid is that? They took all of our chip business. They're very rich." Trump wants Taiwan to pay for U.S. protection. He questioned, "I don't think we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy. Why should we?"

The Practical Challenges of Defending Taiwan

Trump also expressed doubts about the practical difficulties of defending a small island on the other side of the globe. He remarked, "Taiwan is 9,500 miles away, but it's only 68 miles away from China." Abandoning commitments to Taiwan would signify a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, as important as halting support to Ukraine. However, Trump appears prepared to fundamentally alter the terms of these relationships.

Favorable Attitude Towards Saudi Arabia

In contrast to his stance on Taiwan, Trump holds a more favorable view towards Saudi Arabia. He stated that in the past six months, he has had conversations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and believes America's oil and gas production will not threaten Saudi Arabia's dominant position. Trump also expressed his commitment to always protect Saudi Arabia.

Trump Aims to Rekindle Relations with Arabs, Not Get Closer to China

Trump criticized Biden and former President Obama for eroding America's relations with the Arab world, claiming they pushed the country towards a critical adversary. "They're not with us anymore, they're with China. But they don't want to be with China. They want to be with us," he remarked.

Trump's Personal Business Interests with Arabia

Trump's preference for closer ties with Saudi Arabia is not solely based on U.S. foreign policy. On July 1, the Trump Organization and DAR Global announced plans to build Trump Towers and a luxury hotel in the Saudi city of Jeddah. An investment fund founded by his son-in-law Jared Kushner also secured a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

Western Allies Prepare for the Trump Era

Western allies are now familiar with Trump's personal and erratic foreign policy and are taking measures to prepare for a potential return to the White House. These measures include increasing defense spending, transferring control of military aid to Ukraine to NATO, efforts to improve relations with Trump advisors and related think tanks, and contacting Republican governors and thought leaders to discern his intentions.

Ukraine Continues to Plead: Don't Just Watch the Election Winds

At the NATO summit in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged allies to act swiftly to help his country repel Russian aggression, rather than wait for the November election results to decide on their course of action.

Europe's Defense of "American Protection"

Policy advisor Dan Caldwell from the right-wing Defense Priorities think tank stated, "In reality, assuming the U.S. has other more pressing national security priorities and domestic issues, Europe should operate on the basis of 'defending America'."

Trump's transactional foreign policy may have far-reaching implications globally. His lukewarm stance towards Taiwan and friendly attitude towards Saudi Arabia indicate his readiness to redefine America's international relations. However, whether these policies can achieve the desired effects remains to be seen. Western allies are also preparing for potential changes, striving to ensure their own defense and security.