Biden’s Comments Suggest War – Leave Admin Scrambling to “Clarify”
(NewsReady.com) – America has long exercised a policy of strategic ambiguity when it comes to Taiwan. Basically, this means the US remains deliberately unclear about whether it would intervene if China invades the island. President Joe Biden recently made a statement that seemed to have reversed that policy.
On May 23, Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a press conference together in Tokyo. A reporter asked the US president if he would commit to getting involved militarily if China attacks Taiwan, a possibility that seems more likely as the months wear on. Biden responded, “Yes.” The reporter, seemingly in disbelief, asked, “You are?” Biden said that’s what the US committed to doing.
Watch: During his first trip to Asia as commander in chief, President Biden said the U.S. made a commitment to defend Taiwan militarily if China tries to take it by force https://t.co/JhkcLzdMrs
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 23, 2022
The White House walked back Biden’s remarks later, saying there was no shift in US policy.
I asked a WH official how Biden’s statement at the press conf should be seen by China, especially after they expressed anger the State Department recently removed language saying the US does not support Taiwan independence, and Biden’s comment seemed a step further. Their answer: pic.twitter.com/3q5pFnl93c
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) May 23, 2022
Later that day, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin told the press that China has a “firm resolve, staunch will and strong ability” to protect its territorial interests and sovereignty.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), however, praised Biden during an interview on “Fox and Friends” for his remarks. He went on to say the White House walking back the president’s comments is “nuts.”
What do you think about the president’s remarks?
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