Taiwan Official Asserts China Cannot Alter US Policy on Taiwan

A senior Taiwanese national security official has stated that attempts by China to manipulate the political transition in the United States will not succeed in altering Washington’s strategic policy regarding Taiwan. This assertion comes in response to a recent article published in the Wall Street Journal, which reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping is aiming to pressure the US into explicitly opposing Taiwanese independence amidst renewed high-level exchanges between Beijing and Washington.

The official, who requested anonymity, emphasized that China’s efforts to create a “strategic gap” between the US and Taiwan are misguided. They noted, “Beijing has historically sought to exploit opportunities to undermine mutual trust and cooperation among Taiwan, the US, and their allies.” The official referenced China’s previous attempts to weaken European support during tariff negotiations, which ultimately backfired by heightening awareness of the threats posed by China and strengthening European engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan’s stability is crucial for regional security in the Indo-Pacific, a core strategic interest for the US, according to the official. They pointed out that while Washington strives to ease tensions with Beijing, it is simultaneously enhancing its security presence along the first and second island chains. This is evident from recent large-scale multinational military exercises in the region, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining security in the face of potential threats.

The Wall Street Journal article cited an unnamed source indicating that Xi is attempting to leverage US President Donald Trump‘s desire for an economic agreement with China. By doing so, Xi aims to secure a formal statement from the US opposing Taiwanese independence. Historically, bringing Taiwan under China’s control has been a central aspect of Xi’s vision, known as the “China Dream.” This aspiration faced significant obstacles during the administration of former US President Joe Biden, which reaffirmed the long-standing US position of not supporting Taiwanese independence.

The distinction between the phrases “does not support” and “opposes” is critical for Beijing. The former suggests neutrality, while the latter implies alignment with Beijing against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Such a shift would represent a fundamental change in US policy towards Taiwan, marking a departure from the principle of strategic ambiguity that has characterized US-Taiwan relations for decades.

Beijing hopes to capitalize on an apparent warming of relations following high-level exchanges and recent agreements, including a deal regarding the popular social media platform TikTok. The article also quoted Evan Medeiros, a former senior Asia adviser in the Obama administration and now a professor at Georgetown University. Medeiros highlighted that a key aspect of Beijing’s strategy involves driving a wedge between Washington and Taipei, which would erode Taiwan’s confidence and enhance China’s leverage over the island.

While the Trump administration officially opposes any unilateral change to the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, recent developments have raised concerns in both Washington and Taipei. Notably, the US has delayed aspects of military aid to Taiwan and denied a request from President William Lai for a transit stop during his recent trip to Latin America, leading to the cancellation of the visit.

Yun Sun, the director of the China program at the Stimson Center in Washington, remarked that any shift in US policy regarding Taiwan will not happen overnight. She stated, “Beijing will persistently and repeatedly press its position step by step, gradually eroding Taiwan’s confidence in US commitments in the process.”

As tensions continue to rise, the implications of these developments for Taiwan’s relationship with the US and China remain profound, with potential ramifications for regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.