Miao Zonghan: US Midterm Elections Ripple Across the Taiwan Strait

US midterm elections take place on Tuesday (November 3), and the results will affect the political relationship between Congress and the White House and can also be seen as a political signal from US political realities to both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, the APEC Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, China, from November 18 to 19, and it remains uncertain whether the leaders of China, the US, and Russia will hold trilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit.

With the midterms and APEC taking place in quick succession, Washington's policy direction and its impact on the Taiwan Strait have become a regional focus.

This US midterm election will elect all 435 House seats and about one-third of the 100 Senate seats.

Congress mainly influences government policy toward Taiwan through budgets, legislation, hearings, and oversight of the White House.

Congress can allocate funds to support Taiwan's defense, require the executive branch to explain policy, and increase political pressure through public statements; arms sale notifications and diplomatic decisions still involve the executive branch.

Therefore, a specific point to watch right now is an approximately US$14 billion (S$17.9 billion) arms sale package to Taiwan that is still awaiting approval from the Trump administration.