Watching Barack Obama’s victory on television left many Taiwanese in awe and jittery. Sean King, Park Strategies LLC’s vice president, echoed the sentiments of many Taiwanese when he expressed concerns about Obama’s plans regarding the United States’ military support for the island. Taiwan’s de facto independence from China rely mainly on the support of the United States, and as President-elect Obama has yet to voice out his thoughts and plans regarding this issue, many in Taiwan, including Sean King, are anxiously awaiting whatever developments that will arise out of this political shift.
The U.S. has promised to help Taiwan in terms of arms and training to help fight off possible attacks from the Chinese. Despite the general feeling of unease, though, the people of Taiwan see Obama’s victory as a symbol of equality of opportunity.
“I don’t think (Obama) has thought much of Taiwan,” Sean King said. “He’s not a child of the Cold War…he doesn’t have defining moments that drive home for him the dangers facing the free world.”
Sean King has been with Park Strategies LLC since February of 2006. Park Strategies is a firm based in New York that deals with providing government and business advice while also functioning as a lobbying firm. It was founded by former Senator Alfonse D’Amato.
Prior to joining Park Strategies, Sean King was with the United States Department of Commerce for five years, where he worked as Senior Advisor for Asia in the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. At a certain point during his service with the commerce department, King worked with former New York State Governor George Pataki, former Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, and J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott Intl., Inc. Sean King assisted them in carrying out fact-finding missions to mainland China.
Sean King’s specialty is in the field of commerce and he is responsible mainly for developing Park Strategies’ business relationships and transactions with Taiwan and other Asian nations.
More information on Sean King and Taiwan:
Sean King Says Taiwan President Ma Win Will Help U.S. Companies in Asia.
Tags: obama taiwan, sean king, taiwan