Biden: "US Has Duty to Defend if China Attacks Taiwan"... Controversy Over Military Intervention Remarks

US Official Strategy of Strategic Ambiguity and Deployment
White House Official Clarifies "No Change in Taiwan Policy"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the United States has an obligation to defend Taiwan if China attacks, leaving open the possibility of military intervention. This statement contradicts the U.S. government's official policy of 'Strategic Ambiguity' regarding cross-strait relations since establishing diplomatic ties with China in 1979, sparking controversy both domestically and internationally.

On the 21st (local time), President Biden responded "Yes" when asked at a CNN-hosted town hall meeting held at Center Stage in Baltimore, Maryland, whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China attacked. He added, "We have an obligation to defend Taiwan," emphasizing, "The United States will defend Taiwan and is committed to doing so."

This is the second time President Biden has officially stated that the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese military invasion since taking office. Earlier, in August, during an interview, Biden mentioned that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the collective defense clause, applies equally to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

However, the actual U.S. policy on Taiwan's defense does not include a direct military intervention clause as stated by President Biden, and officially maintains strategic ambiguity, leading to growing controversy at home and abroad. When the U.S. established diplomatic relations with China in 1979, the mutual defense treaty with Taiwan signed in 1955 was terminated, meaning there is no legal obligation for the U.S. to directly intervene militarily to defend Taiwan.

The White House also clarified that President Biden's remarks do not signify a change in the U.S. government's Taiwan defense policy. A White House official told CNN in an interview, "President Biden has not announced any change in U.S. Taiwan policy, and there is no change in policy," explaining, "The defense relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan is maintained under the Taiwan Relations Act, and the U.S. will continue to support Taiwan's defense efforts."