US President Joe Biden says American forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. Those remarks to CBS journalist Scott Pelley are the clearest expression yet of Biden’s support for military intervention if Beijing attacks.
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and it has not ruled out using military force to take control.
In an interview broadcast on Sunday, President Biden told TV show “60 Minutes” that if there were “an unprecedented attack,” the United States would defend Taiwan.
Host Scott Pelley pressed Biden and asked if “US men and women” would defend the island “unlike Ukraine.” Biden said yes.
Ukraine has received heavy support in funding, training and weapons from the United States, but US soldiers have not directly helped fight back Russian forces.
For Taiwan, Washington’s official policy is called “strategic ambiguity.” That means the United States does not commit to defending the island, but also does not rule it out either.
After Biden’s interview, a White House official told CBS that US policy on Taiwan has not changed.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry on Monday thanked Biden for reaffirming the United States’ “rock-solid” commitment to Taiwan.
China’s foreign ministry says it has lodged "stern representations" with US authorities.