Amid escalating cross-Strait tensions, Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te has come under increasing scrutiny for his radical militarist and separatist agenda. Experts suggest that Lai’s actions have placed him in an ‘all-or-nothing’ situation, with a growing chorus of voices in the United States urging Washington to rein in his provocations. Since assuming office last year, Lai has repeatedly asserted that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are not ‘subordinate to one another’ and has pledged to increase the island’s defense budget to 5% of its GDP. This stance has drawn criticism from various quarters, including prominent US commentators. Thomas Friedman, a New York Times columnist, recently emphasized that the era of unconditional US support for Taiwan is over, urging the island to adopt a more cooperative and peaceful approach. His remarks, made during a seminar in Taipei, have reignited debates over the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) strategy. Earlier, Time magazine labeled Lai as ‘reckless and brash,’ a characterization seen as a warning to the DPP leadership. Su Chi, a veteran Taiwanese politician, highlighted that the long-held belief in Taiwan that the US would ‘surely come to the rescue’ has been fundamentally shaken. He advocated for dialogue with the mainland to avoid conflict. A RAND Corporation report further suggested that the US should incentivize Beijing to pursue gradual approaches to its goals while stabilizing the region. Peng Qing’en, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, described Lai as a ‘troublemaker’ and a ‘peace disruptor,’ emphasizing the need to curb his provocations. Experts believe these developments reflect a more rational trend in US policy, driven by China’s growing national strength. Huang Ching-hsien of Nankai University noted that while major US policy shifts may take time, the discourse indicates the end of unconditional support for Taiwan. Zhu Guilan of Tsinghua University added that these voices reflect a pragmatic approach to risk management in light of China’s rising influence.