re: Can someone please explain the big deal to me about Taiwan?

Easy:

There is not argument that Chinese trained engineers are as good as those in the US. Most of the manufacturers in mainland China which produce products sold around the world are already neck to neck to US base factories and much more modernized that those in Taiwan. Needless to say, China has 10 times more well trained engineering and technical workers than US does, Chinese government can:

1. Not enforce pattern and trade mark laws. Chinese manufacturers can copy everything you can name, from software, medical equipment, to toys and foods developed by US. Chinese can spread the pirated products around the world in the pricing less that one tense US cost.

2. Trade with Russia and all US rivals in the middle East Countries. Trump has to give up more when working with Russia and anybody else when he tries to make deal.

3. Limit and ban exporting rare-earth element minerals, which can shut down many global semi-conductors supply and drive the pricing skyrocket.

4. Ban and heavy tax US products in China, including airplanes, computer hardware and software, chemical, agriculture products, NBA, McDonald, everything you can name.

5. Use their foreign reserve (US dollars) to purchase access, including mining, factories, and real estates, in all continents, especially in South America, Asia, and Africa, even Canada.

6. Use the US dollars lobbying government officials around the world including US to give Trump administration hard time.

It will take more than 8 years for Uncle Sam establish new global trade network and world order. It hasn’t even mentioned any weapon deal yet. Hopefully, GOP will continue to control all branches of the federal governments and follow through Trump’s plans.