US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken stated on Wednesday (November 10) that if China uses force to change Taiwan’s status quo, the United States and its allies will take unspecified “actions.”
At a forum hosted by the New York Times, Brinken was asked whether the United States would step in to defend Taiwan if China launched an attack. He repeated the conventional U.S. statement that Washington’s role is to ensure that the island has means of self-defense, which is required by U.S. law.
“At the same time, I think it’s fair to say that we are not alone in our determination to maintain peace and stability in that part of the world,” Brinken added.
“Many countries in this region and other regions regard any unilateral actions that use force to disrupt the status quo as a major threat to peace and security. If this happens, they will also take action.”
Brinken did not specify what kind of action he was referring to.
US President Joe Biden said last month that if China launches an attack, the United States will protect Taiwan, which caused a sensation.
These remarks seem to deviate from the long-standing policy of “strategic ambiguity” and do not make it clear how the United States will respond. But the White House quickly stated that Biden had not hinted at a policy change, and some analysts considered his comments to be a gaffe.
Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the influential House Intelligence Committee, urged the Biden administration last week not to be vague about what he called the United States’ obligation to protect Taiwan from Chinese attacks.
Brinken’s remarks were made before a virtual meeting planned by Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the meeting would be held as early as next week.
When asked if the meeting would take place next week, Brinken said it “will come soon,” but didn’t get more specific.
