In Taiwan, former Trump rival Nikki Haley urges support for US allies, spurns isolationism

‘We don’t want to see Communist China win,’ says Donald Trump’s former UN envoy, who later ran against him for Republican presidential nod

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Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations, says supporting Taiwan is an issue both Republicans and Democrats agree on. Photo: AP

Published: 12:59pm, 24 Aug 2024Updated: 5:21pm, 24 Aug 2024

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 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.