Biden says U.S. military would protect Taiwan if China invaded: In his most direct comment on the subject, Vice President Joe Biden of the United States said that the American military would protect Taiwan in the case of a Chinese invasion during an interview aired on Sunday.
When CBS asked “60 Minutes” whether the American military would protect the self-governing island that China claimed, he answered: “Yes, if there was an extraordinary assault.”
In response to a question about whether he meant that, unlike in Ukraine, male and female U.S. soldiers would defend Taiwan in the case of a Chinese invasion, “Yes,” Biden said.
The interview was only the most recent instance in which Biden seemed to deviate from long-standing declared U.S. policy on Taiwan. Still, his declaration that American forces would sent to protect the island was more explicit than prior ones.
A White House spokesman contact for a response and said that Taiwan’s status remained under U.S. policy. “The President has already said this, most recently earlier this year in Tokyo.
He also made it plain that our position toward Taiwan hasn’t changed. That is still accurate, the spokeswoman said.
Biden’s interview with CBS took place last week. The president will be in Britain for Monday’s burial of Queen Elizabeth.
The United States has historically adhered to a position that avoids stating explicitly whether it would use force to defend Taiwan.
When asked in May whether he would be ready to use military force to protect Taiwan, Biden said, “Yes… That’s the pledge we made.”
In the “60 Minutes” interview, Biden reaffirmed that the United States did not want Taiwanese independence and that it remained steadfast in its “One-China” policy, according to which Beijing, not Taipei, is the official representative of China.