Biden emphasized to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the United States remains committed to the longstanding agreement with Beijing regarding Taiwan’s independence. However, he reiterated the US’s commitment to bolstering Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
US President Joe Biden has left open the option of employing the US military to protect Taiwan if China were to invade. In a Time magazine interview released on Tuesday, Biden underscored his stance on Taiwan’s defense, highlighting the contrast between various forms of military intervention, according to an ANI report.
“In the exclusive interview conducted at the White House on May 28, he emphasized that the possibility of employing US military force remains open. He highlighted the differentiation between ground deployment, air power, and naval capabilities,” as quoted by ANI.
Biden also conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the United States remains committed to its longstanding agreement with Beijing, affirming that it does not seek independence for Taiwan. However, he reiterated that the US will uphold its support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities. “In the event of China’s unilateral attempt to alter the status quo, we will persist in bolstering Taiwan’s capacity,” he stated. He further noted ongoing consultations with regional allies, as reported by ANI.
When questioned about the potential deployment of US military strikes from bases in Japan or the Philippines in case of conflict, Biden refrained from providing specifics, stating, “I cannot discuss that. It would be reasonable for you to criticize me if I were to disclose such information.”
The Time article also referenced insights from US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns, who disclosed that Xi has instructed his military to prepare for a possible invasion of Taiwan by 2027. Despite recent talks between Biden and Xi aimed at easing tensions, the standoff between the United States and China regarding Taiwan remains tense.
