Biden Twice Promised to Defend Taiwan：Gaffe or Intended Departure from Strategic Ambiguity？
Comprehensive Report by Taiwan Weekly
On October 21, President Joe Biden responded on CNN twice to the question, "Will the United States defend Taiwan if China attacks Taiwan?” by saying: “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”
This is the first time since the United States severed diplomatic relations with the Republic of China in 1979 that the government has stated such a clear position, from the President no less.
As CNN pointed out, this is not the first time that President Biden seems to have departed from the U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity,” which has been in place for years.
The White House quickly clarified that President Biden’s statement is not a change of policy nor has the U.S. policy on the issue changed. The U.S.-Taiwan defense relationship is based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the United States will continue to honor its commitments under the Act, continue to support Taiwan's self-defense, and continue to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo. The spokesman declined to comment further on whether Mr. Biden’s statement was a slip of the tongue.
Secretary of Defense Austin said at NATO headquarters on Tuesday that the United States will assist Taiwan in acquiring the resources and capabilities to defend itself, and will continue to abide by the U.S. "One China" policy.
Taiwan’s Office of the President stated that the U.S. government continues to demonstrate its rock-solid support for Taiwan through practical actions. Taiwan's position remains the same: "on one hand, not to succumb to pressure; on the other, not to act hastily even with support.”
Spokesman Wang Wenbin of the mainland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded yesterday that China has no room for compromise on core interests such as sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also urged the United States to abide by the “One China” principle and be cautious in its words and deeds on the Taiwan issue.
This is not the first time that Mr. Biden has stated his position on whether the U.S. military would defend Taiwan. In an interview with ABC News in August, he gave a similar response, but senior Biden administration officials immediately clarified that U.S. policy toward Taiwan had not changed.
President Biden said that the United States has the strongest military in the history of the world and does not have to worry about China or Russia coming to the fore, "The concern is whether they will do something that will put them in a position to make a serious mistake.”
“I've spent more time with Xi Jinping than with any other leader in the world," President Biden said. “I'm not trying to have a cold war with China. I'm making it clear to China that we're not going to back down and we're not going to change our views.” The moderator then asked, "If China attacks Taiwan, will the United States defend Taiwan?” Mr. Biden then responded with: "Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”
The White House and Department of State only reiterated their original "One China" policy and urged Beijing to stop using military, diplomatic and economic means to exert pressure on Taiwan.
Since severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan, successive U.S. administrations have repeatedly reiterated that cross-strait issues must be resolved peacefully, that the United States provides Taiwan with defensive weapons in accordance with the law, and that it opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either side of the Taiwan Strait. However, the United States continues to maintain a position of “strategic ambiguity” on whether to send troops to assist Taiwan if mainland China were to use military force against the island and has never made clear a concrete position.
Reuters, citing informed sources, reported also that Biden and Xi will meet via video conference in November. The United States believes that direct contact between the two leaders will help manage U.S.-China relations and is the best way to avoid deteriorating relations and conflict.
The major media outlets in the United States have put forward different interpretations of President Biden’s remarks. The Washington Post believes that this is yet another gaffe by Mr. Biden, while the New York Times believes that this may present a new threat to China as Mr. Biden navigates the gray area of "strategic ambiguity.”
The New York Times reported that Mr. Biden was already a United States senator when the Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 and had been involved in the legislative process. Surely, he would understand the nuance of what was said. Twenty years ago, when then President George W. Bush said he would defend Taiwan "at all costs," Mr. Biden wrote to the Washington Post to emphasize that "the United States has no obligation to defend Taiwan," writing, "when it comes to defending Taiwan, there is a big difference between retaining the right to use force and having the obligation to defend.” In that opinion he in fact accused Bush of not paying attention to detail.
According to the Washington Post, most analysts believe that President Biden simply misspoke. Taiwan is a highly sensitive issue, and the U.S. has carefully maintained strategic ambiguity for more than four decades—the possibility of relaxing the position is slim. However, Mr. Biden's remarks may reflect Washington’s intention to warn Beijing through tougher rhetoric to not act rashly.
According to President Richard Haas of the Council on Foreign Relations, the time has come for the United States to end its position of strategic ambiguity and move to strategic clarity, that it would be wiser to make clear to Beijing the economic penalties for attempting to invade Taiwan.
Director Su Zi-yun of the Institute of Military Strategy and Industry, National Defense and Security Research Institute, believes that just because Mr. Biden said the words does not mean he will do the act. Survival depends on oneself, not the goodwill of others.
Researcher Zhang Jing of the Chinese Institute of Strategic Studies raised several points for observation, including why have scholars who advocate "strategic clarity" not responded with more excitement? Why did the White House immediately issue a statement to clarify? Why has Beijing not reacted more strongly?
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hsu Chi-chieh said yesterday that he hoped there would be an opportunity for Taiwan and the United States to sign a security treaty, one that would make President Biden's promises contractual and use stronger force to deter China's ambition to invade Taiwan. Legislator Wang Ting-yu, also from the DPP, believes that this is a move from "strategic ambiguity" to "strategic clarity" in U.S. policy regarding Taiwan.
From:
https://udn.com/news/story/6813/5837306