Chen Shih-Chang's Perspective: Trump's Harm Worse Than Toxic Oil – Must Taiwan Continue to Suffer in Silence?

Trump remains obsessed with the claim that 'Taiwan stole American chips,' comparing Taiwan to a spoon and emphasizing that the U.S. is not worth fighting a war for a 'tiny island invisible on the map.' This endless, predictable humiliation and contempt toward Taiwan has never been challenged by the Lai administration, which seems to force the entire population to silently endure. Even more tragically, the government often 'accepts with a smile.' Trump is more toxic than the carcinogenic oil that poisoned Taiwan—must the people continue to swallow this poison?

Since Trump's return to the White House, his actions have nearly set the worst record in U.S. presidential history: tearing up peace agreements at will, storming into neighboring countries to arrest presidents, his family openly profiting from stock trading, insulting the media and trampling press freedom, even interfering in sports to shield red cards in soccer. His list of misconduct is endless.

Trump’s treatment of Taiwan is indescribably harsh. Beyond the opaque nature of ongoing tariff and trade negotiations, his obsession with TSMC is constant. His repeated use of the word 'stole' is the ultimate insult to three generations of Taiwanese hard work. Not a single official or legislator from the ruling DPP has spoken up against this—effectively admitting that Taiwan’s technological achievements were 'stolen' from the U.S., and that Taiwan is a 'thief.'

On this alone, the Taiwanese people cannot accept it. Once more production capacity shifts to the U.S., Taiwan will become a worthless, rusted 'spoon'—a barren island of no value to America. Trump won’t even bother using it. From an economic and strategic perspective, even ordinary citizens with limited access to information can see this. How can the Lai administration continue to feign ignorance and numb the public?

Military sales to Taiwan are another painful lesson. Beyond the long-overdue massive weapons debt, Taiwan is treated like an ATM, constantly pressured to pay more. Even opposition parties have fallen into this trap. Yet the Lai administration continues to play the 'resist China' card, keeping the people under constant pressure and shadow of war preparation. Meanwhile, Trump, for his own benefit in improving relations with Beijing, has effectively indefinitely suspended arms sales to Taiwan—yet continues to demand Taiwan send money. This is no different from open robbery. Must the Taiwanese people only endure in tears?

Trump tears up ceasefire agreements and lies with a blink—'It’s over' is just a joke to him. But 'a ruler must not speak in jest' is not in Trump’s nature. If Taiwan ever 'ends,' no amount of crying from the Lai administration will help. A single assault case involving a Japanese national is treated as more serious than millions of people consuming toxic oil. A government with such an attitude is even more malicious than Trump, repeatedly warning the Taiwanese people: if they do not awaken and act now, Taiwan may be unconditionally ceded to the U.S., or slowly tortured into a wasteland by Trump and then discarded. Is this not serious?

Repeated global lessons prove that Trump is indeed Trump. And the Lai administration’s shameless self-degradation proves it is indeed the Lai administration. Trump is more harmful than toxic oil—and isn’t the Lai government’s behavior equally destructive? Taiwanese society is indeed tolerant and kind, but both Trump and the Lai administration are exploiting and trampling on this kindness. How much longer will you endure?

Ordinary people’s shared memories and experiences—every penny of their limited, even meager savings—are earned step by step, not by luck. Yet Trump seizes wealth in seconds, while the Lai administration hands over money without blinking. When leaders lack empathy, why should the people open their hearts and wallets?

Fortunately, the Taiwanese people still have a firewall. In the past, they skillfully used democratic leverage to punish incompetent and corrupt politicians. The only concern is that the DPP has manipulated the people for ten years, rendering the mechanism of public awakening dysfunctional. That Trump is more harmful than toxic oil is now an undeniable fact. But given the public’s indifference toward the toxic oil incident, one fears that come election time, they will again be anesthetized and lose their judgment.

Trump is no friend to Taiwan—he is a demon more dangerous than toxic oil. The Lai administration must not remain incompetent, willingly playing a ghostly role beside Trump, only to be drained of energy and kicked into hell. Must the Taiwanese people continue to suffer in silence?

*Author is a veteran media professional.