The United States on all the warm fronts of the globe. The Americans will help Taiwan be able to “defend itself” in the event of a Chinese invasion, said on Sunday US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on CNN “We are dedicated to helping Taiwan develop its ability to defend itself. »
Washington historically maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” about possible US military intervention if Taiwan were attacked by China, which still considers the territory one of its provinces. President Joe Biden said last month that the US military would defend Taiwan “should an unprecedented attack occur”.
Is the US military preparing to send soldiers to Taiwan? Asked by CNN after the White House tenant’s comments, Lloyd Austin did not respond directly. “The American army is always ready to defend our interests and live up to our commitments,” said the head of the Pentagon. “But, again, we continue to work to ensure we have the right capabilities in the right place” to help “our allies maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
No “imminent threat”
Washington’s “strategic ambiguity” aims as much to dissuade China from invading Taiwan as to prevent the island’s leaders from provoking Beijing by formally declaring its independence. Lloyd Austin said he saw no “imminent threat” of an invasion of the island by China. But rising military activity in the Taiwan Strait shows that Beijing is trying to establish “a new normal”, he said.
Washington severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, recognizing Beijing as China’s sole representative. But at the same time, the United States has retained a decisive role – and difficult to play – in support of Taiwan. A law thus obliges Washington to sell military equipment to Taiwan to organize its defense against the vastly superior army in Beijing.