Who Is Wendy Sherman?

Wendy Sherman is a veteran U.S. diplomat who served as Deputy Secretary of State under President Biden and held senior roles under Presidents Obama and Clinton. As a lifelong Democrat, she has shaped some of the most controversial foreign policy moves in modern American history. Sherman is a firm believer in diplomacy and multilateral partnerships, and she has been openly critical of former President Donald Trump’s more direct and unilateral approach to global affairs.

Despite her alignment with liberal administrations, Sherman has issued warnings that align with conservative concerns over China’s growing aggression. Her recent comments put a spotlight on the Chinese Communist Party’s ambitions—and what Taiwan could be facing if the West shows weakness.

China Is Watching Ukraine to Plan Its Next Move

In an interview with NewsNation, Sherman warned that China is closely watching how the world responds to Russia’s war in Ukraine to decide how it might act toward Taiwan.

“China watches what’s happening with Russia and Ukraine,” Sherman said. “If Russia can invade a sovereign country and take all of Ukraine or portions of Ukraine, and nobody really stands in the way, then China imagines it can take Taiwan and all of the advanced semiconductors that are made there, and nobody will blink an eye. And that is a danger to us.”

Sherman’s statement underscores what many U.S. defense experts and Trump-era officials have been warning for years: a failure to deter Russia now may embolden China to take what it wants later—by force.

Taiwan: Strategic and Under Threat

Taiwan is more than just a democratic partner. It is a vital hub for global semiconductor production, producing the world’s most advanced chips. Losing Taiwan to China would not only be a blow to freedom in Asia, it would cripple American tech industries and military supply chains.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out a military invasion to achieve reunification. Just last month, China conducted massive military exercises around Taiwan without notice, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Trump administration, which warned China against further aggression.

President Trump has long maintained a hardline stance on China. His administration enacted tariffs, boosted U.S. military readiness in the Pacific, and strengthened ties with Taiwan. Supporters say Trump is the only one willing to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party without hesitation.

Sherman’s Broader Warnings – and Contradictions

Despite acknowledging China’s threat, Sherman still pushes for traditional diplomacy over Trump’s “transactional” approach. At a Harvard Institute of Politics event, she criticized Trump’s foreign policy as too focused on quick deals rather than long-term strategy.

Sherman argued that “authoritarian leaders had been emboldened by the White House,” a jab at Trump’s past efforts to engage adversaries on a one-on-one basis. However, critics of the Biden-era approach say soft diplomacy has failed to deter rising global aggression—from Putin in Ukraine to Xi Jinping’s saber-rattling over Taiwan.

Ironically, while Sherman praises the Biden administration’s coalition-building efforts, it is the Trump administration that has taken a clearer and more forceful stand in Asia. The current situation—with Russia attacking Ukraine again and China testing its military reach—makes Sherman’s warnings all the more urgent, even if she won’t credit Trump for getting tough when it mattered.

Trump’s Position: Strength Over Sympathy

As China calculates its next steps, Trump has pushed for a peace deal in Ukraine that puts pressure on both sides while warning against Chinese expansion. After a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump called for a resolution but stood firm that weakness in Ukraine could invite disaster in Taiwan.

The Trump team has also maintained the 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports, signaling that economic pressure remains a key tool in confronting Beijing’s ambitions.

Taiwan’s Fate Could Shape the 21st Century

The stakes couldn’t be higher. If China invades Taiwan and the world fails to stop it, the global balance of power could shift dramatically. Advanced technology, democratic governance, and American strategic strength would all suffer.

Sherman’s warning—despite her political differences with Trump—should be a wake-up call. China is watching, planning, and waiting. And unless the U.S. shows real strength, Taiwan could be next.

ACZ Editor: Biden’s weakness put us in this position, by the time Trump came back to power it was too late. And Putin knew this all along, he plays an excellent gave of international politics. Will China be able to use the Trump Administration’s response to attack Taiwan and absorb its massive chip factories?