Would the US defend Taiwan under Trump if China invades? Fox News investigates

The year 2027 has become a fixation for Washington. It's the year that U.S. intelligence projects China will be ready and capable for an invasion of Taiwan. 

Trump's public comments might suggest that he would not be willing to put boots on the ground to face another global superpower in defense of a tiny island democracy. 

"I think Taiwan should pay us for defense," Trump told Bloomberg Businessweek in June. 

"You know, we're no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn't give us anything," he added.

In October, he once again complained about U.S. aid to Taiwan and accused the nation of "stealing" the U.S. microchip industry. "You know, Taiwan, they stole our chip business," Trump said during his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.

"They want us to protect, and they want protection. They don't pay us money for the protection, you know. The mob makes you pay money, right? But with these countries that we protect, I got hundreds of billions of dollars from NATO countries that were never paying us."

Trump's close advisors are far more hawkish on the Taiwan matter than the president-elect's comments would suggest he is, according to Lyle Goldstein, director for Asia engagement at Defense Priorities. 

"During Trump's last four years there was quite a robust stance in favor of defending Taiwan through various measures taken chiefly, I think, through his advisors," said Goldstein. 

Asked how he would convince Xi to avoid such an invasion, Trump responded: "I would say: If you go into Taiwan, I'm sorry to do this, I'm going to tax you" - meaning impose tariffs - "at 150% to 200%." 

He may even ban trade between the two nations. 

He spoke highly of his relationship with Xi. "I had a very strong relationship with him. He was actually a really good, I don't want to say friend - I don't want to act foolish, 'He was my friend' - but I got along with him great. He stayed at Mar-a-Lago with me, so we got to know each other great. He's a very fierce person."

With rapidly improving drone capabilities, the U.S. could come to Taiwan's aid in an invasion without deploying troops to the region.

In doing so, he said, "I can make their lives utterly miserable for a month, which buys me the time for the rest of everything." 

But there is hope among restraint groups that Trump will be focused on economic warfare with China - rather than military. Trump has threatened a blanket 60% tariff on Chinese goods. 

"I think his approach on China will be very tough on the economic side," said Goldstein. "But - I'm hoping anyway - easing tensions on the diplomatic and military side."

"We don't have that alliance with Taiwan," Goldstein went on. "We have an alliance with Japan. And with the Philippines. We may want to double down on guarding our allies . . . the Taiwan issue is a powder keg - it's exceedingly dangerous. And we should play very cautiously here."

"The U.S. is standing up for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the president said at West Point in May. He added pointedly: "I've always been willing to use force when required to protect our nation, our allies, our core interests."