Joe Biden has stated that he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan

*Paromita Das
US President Joe Biden said on Monday that he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan, rallying support for US opposition to China’s growing assertiveness in the region on his first trip to Asia since taking office.

Biden’s remarks appeared to deviate from an existing US policy of so-called strategic ambiguity on the self-governed island that China considers its territory and claims is the most sensitive and important issue in its relations with the US. When asked by a reporter in Tokyo if the US would defend Taiwan if it was attacked by China, President Obama replied, “Yes.”

“That’s the promise we made… We support a one-China policy. We’ve signed on to it, and all of the intended agreements have been made as a result. But the notion that it can be taken by force, simply taken by force, is simply not appropriate.”

He went on to say that he didn’t think such an event would happen or be attempted. While Washington is legally required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, it has long maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

In October, Biden made a similar remark about defending Taiwan. At the time, a White House spokesperson stated that Biden would not be announcing any changes to US policy.

The remarks about Taiwan are likely to overshadow the centrepiece of Biden’s visit, the announcement of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a broad plan that will serve as an economic pillar for the United States’ engagement with Asia.

His trip will also include meetings with leaders of Japan, India, and Australia, members of the “Quad” group of countries.

Concerns about China’s rising power and the possibility of an invasion of Taiwan have emboldened Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party on defense, eroding some of the traditional apprehension among many Japanese about adopting a more robust defense posture.

JAPAN IS STRONG

Kishida stated that he informed Biden that Japan would consider various options to strengthen its defense capabilities, including the ability to retaliate, indicating a possible shift in Japan’s defense policy.
“A strong Japan, and a strong US-Japan alliance, is a force for good in the region,” Biden said following their talks.

Kishida stated that he had received Biden’s support for Japan becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, amid growing calls for the council’s reform. Permanent members include China and Russia.

“President Biden expressed the importance of reforming and strengthening the United Nations, including the Security Council, which bears a major responsibility for the international community’s peace and security,” Kishida said. “President Biden expressed his support for Japan’s appointment to the reformed Security Council.”

Concerns in Asia are growing about an increasingly assertive China, particularly given its close ties with Russia, and tensions have risen over self-ruled Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province.