The US State Department has reportedly removed a statement on its website that it does not support Taiwan independence. The factsheet retains Washington's opposition to unilateral change from either Taiwan or from China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own. but dropped the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence".

And not too long ago, two US Navy ships sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, drawing an angry reaction from China. This comes just after Taiwan's signing of a new missile deal with Washington to bolster the defence of Taipei.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co - or TSMC for short - also just held its first board of directors meeting in the US, but did not unveil any new US investments despite mounting tariff threats from Trump.

On this episode of Morning Shot, Ross Feingold, Research Director at Caerus Consulting shares his insights.

Presented by: Audrey Siek
Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)
Photo credits: AFP