They won't need to. I think the native Taiwanese have already given up on any real chance the USA will defend them and the ethnic Chinese minority that holds most of the wealth and power is so far in bed with the Chicom govt that they'll "willingly" join the PRC. Not a shot will be fired.
Pretty much. I was told by a Taiwanese engineer years ago that Taiwan will probably eagerly reconcile with China because Taiwan's economy is like this (he placed his hand at knee level) and China's economy is like this (he jumped up in the air holding his hand way above his head).
Go to defense of Taiwan? Without a shot needing to be fired? They're not just in bed with the PRC, most of those big name Taiwanese companies are already thoroughly integrated with China, and vice versa.
I asked him "Well, who in China still wants to take Taiwan by force?" and he said "A few elderly military nuts from the Mao era who don't have any business connections that create personal wealth. The young elites in China will shut them up in a second. Bad for business."
I asked "Well, aren't all the top corporate businessmen in China a bunch of generals in the PLA?" and he said "Same thing in Taiwan, only in the other army."