Biden Again Says U.S. Military Would Defend Taiwan

THEO VAN GOGH RELEVANT SOURCES – Top of the Agenda

 
In an interview with 60 Minutes that aired yesterday, U.S. President Joe Biden said that if China were to invade Taiwan, U.S. military forces would come to the island’s defense. It is at least the fourth time (NBC) that Biden has publicly made comments appearing to contradict the U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity” toward Taiwan, though the White House later said U.S. policy has not changed. The long-standing policy deliberately leaves unanswered the question of whether the United States would defend the island.

 

China’s foreign ministry said it lodged a complaint (Reuters) with the United States. A ministry spokesperson said Beijing “will not tolerate any activities aimed at [Taiwan’s] secession.”
Analysis
“The fourth time [Biden] has endorsed strategic clarity. This is now US policy, despite his administration’s attempt (also for the fourth time) to walk it back. Now time to fully resource this commitment and truly focus on it,” CFR’s David Sacks tweets.

 

“Smart people may differ about the wisdom of eroding strategic ambiguity around Taiwan, but with stakes this high, the public deserves a clear and open discussion of the high risks and cost and benefits of defending the island,” Foreign Policy’s Howard W. French writes.

 

This Backgrounder explains U.S. policy toward Taiwan.