Taiwan: Joe Biden promises US troops for defense

Taiwan: Joe Biden promises US troops for defense

Should China attack Taiwan, US troops would defend the island state – US President Joe Biden once again caused irritation with this surprising statement in a TV interview. A White House spokesman later had to defuse Biden’s statement.

US President Joe Biden has again pledged military support to Taiwan in the event of an attack. When asked in a CBS television interview on Sunday whether US forces would defend Taiwan, Biden replied, “Yes, if there were actually an unprecedented attack.” However, a White House spokesman later stressed that the US government’s Taiwan policy had not changed.

Biden made a similar statement in May during a visit to Japan. At the time, he said the US had “an obligation” to assist Taiwan in the event of an attack. He later stressed that the US policy of “strategic ambiguity” in dealings with China and Taiwan had not changed.

The US has long pursued a line of “strategic ambiguity” on the Taiwan issue. The US has assured Taiwan of support in building up its defense capabilities, but has not expressly promised to come to the island’s aid in the event of war.

Biden made it clear in Tokyo in May “that our Taiwan policy has not changed,” said a White House spokesman on Sunday. “That still applies.”

Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland – if necessary with military force. While the US has recognized leadership in Beijing as China’s sole government since 1979, it also supports Taiwan.

Source: Stern

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