US scholar Bonnie Glaser says that the Biden administration will keep a low profile in its relations with Taiwan so as not to hurt Taiwan. Glaser was speaking Thursday at a forum on US Taiwan policy and the outlook for Taiwan-US relations.
Glaser said that Biden’s foreign policy will focus on democracy and human values. She said Taiwan could still play a role at the Summit for Democracy even if the US cannot invite it to attend as an official member.
Glaser said that US ships will continue to pass through the Taiwan Strait and that the US will continue to maintain military dialogue with Taiwan. She also said the US could sell more defensive weapons to Taiwan in light of increased threats from China. She said that the US will continue to support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and that it will keep sending high-level officials to visit Taiwan.
Glaser said that China could force the Biden administration to make concessions, such as demanding that the US make its definition of the “one China” policy more explicit. She expects that Biden will stand firm and not give in to pressure from Beijing.