Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown — one of Taiwan’s best friends on Capitol Hill — might be offered a place on the US Democratic presidential ticket if former US secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton wins the party’s nomination as expected.
Two US TV networks and highly respected political newspaper The Hill have all named 63-year-old Brown as being under consideration to be Clinton’s vice presidential running mate.
A founding member of the Taiwan Caucus and an enthusiastic supporter of nearly all pro-Taiwan issues, Brown could become a major ally in the White House.
The Hill pointed out that Clinton is struggling to attract white working-class voters and Brown could be a huge help.
“I put Sherrod Brown at the front of the line as a potential running mate for Hillary,” one National Broadcasting Corp commentator said.
Brown is playing down the prospect, saying that he loves working for the people of Ohio, but that has done little to dampen speculation.
US Republican front-runner Donald Trump is winning the support of huge numbers of white working-class voters, not only from his own party, but also from independents and moderate Democrats.
Brown’s strong stand on creating manufacturing jobs — particularly in northern industrial states — and his push for a higher minimum wage might go far in countering Trump’s appeal should Trump win the Republican nomination.
A few years ago, Brown said that he was “dreaming of the day” when US policy would support one China and one Taiwan.
“The miracle of Taiwan is something that the people have earned and it is up to us to help them keep it,” he said.
On another occasion, Brown said: “I urge the international community in general, and the US in particular, to actively assist Taiwan in exercising its universal right to self-determination by recognizing Taiwan’s independent status and by pressing for its admission into various international organizations as a full participant.”
Coen Blaauw, executive director of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, one of the most active Taiwanese-US groups in Washington, said: “Sherrod Brown is a great friend of Taiwan. He is always on the side of the underdog, fighting for democracy.”
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
RSS