US Defense Secretary Austin doubles down on Biden’s vow to support Taiwan against China — RT World News
Joe Biden’s vow to support Taiwan militarily should China attack it has been reaffirmed by the US secretary of defence, apparently in an apparent break from US policy.
NATO defense ministers convened Friday for the second-day of a Brussels summit. This was amid ongoing EU nation debates over whether or not to set up a small European quick reaction force.
Speaking at a press conference, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reiterated Washington’s resolute commitment to NATO and its “sacred obligation” to the bloc’s Article 5.
Austin was asked if the United States would protect Taiwan in the event of an attack by China. This is after Vice President Biden pledged to back Taiwan against Beijing. Austin stated that the US would support Taipei in its defense efforts.
“We remain committed to the One China policy…As we’ve done under multiple administrations, we will continue to help Taiwan with resources and capabilities it needs to defend itself,”The Pentagon Chief stated.
Beijing’s ‘One China’ policy has been tacitly accepted by US policymakers for decades recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the legal government of China, while also maintaining unofficial diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
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Austin stated that he wouldn’t “engage in any hypotheticals,”Concerning what would the US do if China attacks the nation, Beijing considers it an inalienable piece of the mainland. It is also important to note that no one wants to see conflict.
On Thursday, Biden raised eyebrows when he responded to a student’s question about Taiwan at a CNN forum by vowing to support the island and saying he was not worried about Chinese military development. While Biden claimed the US had made a “Engagement” to defend Taiwan, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which governs relations between the two, does not contain any mutual defense treaty.
Austin pledged also to “collectively work”Partnering with European countries “to ensure that the Indo-Pacific area region remains free and open,”He said he was open for ideas on how the European defence force could be added to what is already in place within NATO.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded on Friday by calling on the US not to interfere in China’s core interests.
Austin said Friday, “NATO wishes for a” “predictable and stable” relationship with Russia, as relations between the two soured further after the bloc expelled eight Russian diplomats from Brussels and Moscow responded by completely suspending the operations of its NATO mission.
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