Taiwan cozies up to US

LAI CHING-TE: NEW PRESIDENT CONFIDENT OF DEEPER TIES WITH TRUMP

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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te says he is "confident" of deeper cooperation with the next Donald Trump administration, a day after his call with US Republican House speaker Mike Johnson that angered China.

Like other world governments, Taiwan has congratulated Trump on his victory in last month's presidential election as it seeks to get onside with the next US leader.

The United States does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but Washington has long been Taipei's biggest backer and provider of arms.

Trump caused jitters during his campaign by suggesting Taiwan should pay the United States for its defense and accusing the island of stealing the US semiconductor industry.

"Taiwan is confident that it will continue to deepen cooperation with the new government to resist authoritarian expansion, and create prosperity and development for both countries while making more contributions to regional stability and peace," Lai said in Palau.