Biden: "We Will Defend If China Invades Taiwan" (Comprehensive)

(Photo by CBS)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yujin] U.S. President Joe Biden has reiterated his stance that the United States would directly intervene militarily if China invades Taiwan. Analysts are suggesting that this could signal a shift away from the U.S.'s long-held policy of "strategic ambiguity" regarding Taiwan. Strong backlash from China is also expected.

According to Bloomberg on the 18th (local time), in an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," President Biden responded to a question about whether U.S. forces would defend Taiwan by saying, "Yes, if there is an unprecedented attack."

When asked again if the U.S. military would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, unlike in Ukraine, Biden clearly answered, "Yes."

Foreign media have evaluated this statement as the clearest remark Biden has made on cross-strait issues.

The U.S. established diplomatic relations with China in 1979 and severed ties with Taiwan, enacting the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with self-defense means and a basis for intervention in emergencies. Based on this, the U.S. has provided military support to Taiwan while maintaining "strategic ambiguity" by not explicitly stating whether it would directly intervene in the event of a Chinese invasion. This policy has served as a deterrent to prevent China from invading Taiwan and to stop Taiwan from declaring independence from China.

This is not the first time President Biden has mentioned the possibility of military intervention. On May 23, after the U.S.-Japan summit in Tokyo, Biden responded "Yes" to a reporter's question about whether the U.S. would militarily intervene to defend Taiwan. At that time, the Chinese government strongly protested, calling it interference in internal affairs, and the White House had to clarify the intent of the remarks.

Although there was speculation that Biden misspoke then, his repeated mention of possible military intervention this time strengthens the analysis that it was an intentional statement.

Some interpret this statement, coming amid heightened political and military tensions between the U.S. and China following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's sudden visit to Taiwan earlier last month, as indicating a change in U.S. China policy.

As China continues to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region, voices of hardliners within the U.S. are growing louder. On the 14th, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the Taiwan Policy Act, which treats Taiwan, with which the U.S. has unofficial diplomatic relations, at the level of an ally.

However, Bloomberg reported that it remains unclear whether this statement signifies a change in the U.S.'s strategic ambiguity policy regarding cross-strait relations.

This is because early in the interview, Biden also mentioned, "We have the 'One China' policy that we agreed on long ago, and Taiwan must make its own decisions about its independence." Following Biden's interview, a White House official stated, "U.S. policy has not changed, and we will not comment on whether U.S. forces would defend Taiwan."

Meanwhile, in the same interview, President Biden also pledged continued financial support for Ukraine, which is at war with Russia. Biden said, "As long as support is needed, it will continue."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the U.S. has provided over $15 billion in military aid to Ukraine in more than 20 installments. Additional support totaling $600 million is also planned soon.

When asked if Ukraine is winning, Biden answered, "No." He said, "The massacre and destruction will make Ukraine's victory difficult."

When asked how he would respond if Russian President Vladimir Putin considers using tactical nuclear or biochemical weapons, Biden said, "There will be consequences," adding, "They will be more isolated from the world than ever before, and the price they pay will depend on the severity of their actions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.