Challenging the U.S. foreign policy consensus on Taiwan

Challenging the U.S. foreign policy consensus on Taiwan

Author: The Watson School November 21, 2025 Duration: 42:45

In October, President Trump and President Xi Jinping met for the first time in Trump’s new presidential term. The meeting ended with commitments from both countries designed to lower trade tensions —– something many observers greeted with relief.

But, according to Watson Senior Fellow and Director of the Watson School’s China Initiative Lyle Goldstein, perhaps more noticeable was what was left out of this meeting; almost all of the pressing security issues that exist between the two countries, including the one Goldstein sees as the “most dangerous of all”– the U.S. relationship with Taiwan.

On this episode, host Dan Richards speaks with Goldstein about the state of U.S.-China relations over Taiwan, why he believes this issue represents one of the world’s greatest risks to human safety, and why now is the moment to reconsider the U.S. foreign policy consensus on this geopolitical flashpoint.

Learn more about the Watson School’s China Initiative

Read Lyle’s multi-part series on the past, present, and future of US-China relations


From the Watson School at Brown University, Trending Globally: Politics and Policy brings the insights of leading scholars and practitioners directly into your ears. This award-winning podcast digs into the complex forces shaping our world, moving beyond headlines to understand the deeper political and policy decisions behind them. Each conversation is designed to unpack a pressing issue-whether it's international trade tensions, public health crises, or social movements-with clarity and depth. You'll hear experts from the Watson Institute and beyond explain not just what's happening, but why it matters and how different policies might change the course of events. The discussions are grounded in rigorous research yet remain accessible, turning daunting global topics into understandable and engaging dialogue. For anyone curious about the mechanics of power, governance, and societal change, this series offers a vital resource. It’s a direct line to some of the sharpest minds in international and public affairs, all within a format that fits into your daily routine. Find Trending Globally: Politics and Policy and add it to your listening rotation for a consistently informative perspective on the stories that define our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Trending Globally: Politics and Policy
Podcast Episodes
A closer look at two of the key issues driving the Iran War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:22
Seven months in, the Iran War continues to hinge on two critical issues: maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program. On this episode, host Dan Richards talks with two experts a…
Ten years after the Brexit vote, the UK’s future is up for grabs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:44
Ten years ago this summer, voters in the United Kingdom chose to withdraw from the European Union. In other words, the long and winding process of Brexit began.On this episode, Dan Richards talks with Watson professor an…
Why this Ebola outbreak might be the deadliest one yet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:46
In May, an outbreak of the Ebola virus was officially declared in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Aid groups are warning that it could become the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history.On this episode, Dan Ric…
The war in Iran’s ripple effect on the global energy economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:09
The war in Iran is entering its third month, and according to the War in Iran Energy Cost Tracker — a new project from the Watson School's Climate Solutions Lab — the war has already cost Americans over 40 billion extra…
Border politics at our doorstep with Ieva Jusionyte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
How do borders — both the physical barriers and the political realities — shape our society?These questions have long driven the work of Ieva Jusionyte, an anthropologist at the Watson School and director of Watson’s Cen…
From pandemics to misinformation: rethinking security today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
From a once-in-a-century global pandemic, to wars in Europe and the Middle East, to the unchecked rise of AI and social media technologies, we are living in an age of threats against humanity that are profound, fast-movi…