American defense of Taiwan is the policy by which the United States provides military aid, security assurances, and diplomatic support to help Taiwan safeguard its national security. This policy began with the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of China between the United States and the Republic of China (ROC) in 1954. However, after the United States established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1979, the treaty was unilaterally terminated by the U.S. It was subsequently replaced by the Taiwan Relations Act, a domestic U.S. law.
The U.S. views Taiwan as geostrategically important given its location in the first island chain. Under U.S. defense commitment to Taiwan, the United States provides defensive weapons, intelligence sharing, military training, military advisors, and other forms of support to Taiwan. The federal government of the United States also supports Taiwan's participation in international matters, such as inviting Taiwanese delegations to attend President of the United States inaugurations.
The American defense of Taiwan commitment to Taiwan has broad support within Taiwan, but it is opposed by the government of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese Communist Party considers Taiwan an inseparable part of China and opposes any foreign military intervention in Taiwan's affairs. In recent years, pressure and threats from mainland China toward Taiwan have intensified, drawing international attention.
In April 2001, George W. Bush publicly announced the American defense of Taiwan. In 2017, the National Security Council introduced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, which, in the event of armed conflict between the United States and the People's Republic of China, includes "defending countries in the first island chain, including Taiwan." This framework was approved by President Donald Trump in 2018. In February 2021, the United States Congress reintroduced the "Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act," which aims to legally authorize the U.S. president to use limited force to defend Taiwan if necessary.
History
1954–1980 mutual defense treaty era
Following the 1954 treaty's entry into force, the United States maintained forces and a dedicated United States Taiwan Defense Command on Taiwan. After the United States recognized the PRC on January 1, 1979, the U.S. delivered notice of termination of the treaty to Taipei. Consistent with Article X, the treaty lapsed on January 1, 1980. The TRA, enacted April 10, 1979, established the post-recognition legal basis for continued security assistance and other unofficial relations.
1995–1996 Taiwan Strait crisis During the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis the United States deployed carrier battle groups (including USS Independence and USS Nimitz) to waters near Taiwan in March 1996 as a show of resolve. U.S. forces operated primarily to the island's east, and no mutual defense obligation was invoked.
In April 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush declared that the United States would "do everything it can to defend Taiwan." His successor, President Barack Obama, did not make any public or clear statements regarding the use of force by the People's Republic of China to unify Taiwan by force, nor about U.S. military intervention to defend Taiwan. In 2018, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific approved by President Donald Trump included the goal of "defending Taiwan."
The Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances indicate that the United States has not made specific commitments to defend Taiwan. Legally, while the U.S. government may decide on actions through constitutional processes, it is also possible that no military response would follow such a decision. During the administrations of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, members of the U.S. Congress repeatedly introduced legislation aimed at formally authorizing the use of military force to defend Taiwan.
2001 Bush statements In 2001, the Bush administration identified the People's Republic of China as a strategic competitor and adopted a more assertive policy. On April 24, the U.S. announced three arms deals with Taiwan. The next day, President George W. Bush described the package as “the right package for the moment” and stated the U.S. would “do whatever it took to defend herself,” a remark widely interpreted as signaling a shift from “strategic ambiguity” to “strategic clarity.”
In a CNN interview on April 26, Bush reaffirmed support for Taiwan's self-defense and said U.S. policy remained unchanged, emphasizing peaceful resolution and adherence to the “One China” principle. On May 17, he reiterated that the U.S. would assist Taiwan if China used force. During a 2002 visit to China, Bush affirmed both the “One China” policy and the Taiwan Relations Act, stressing that neither side should provoke the other and that disputes should be settled peacefully.
2018 Indo-Pacific guidance (declassified) In 2018, President Donald Trump initiated the China–United States trade war, leading to the Second Cold War. On June 10, 2020, Republican Party Senator Josh Hawley introduced the Taiwan Defense Act in the United States Senate. On June 30, Republican Representatives Ted Yoho and Mike Gallagher introduced the same bill in the United States House of Representatives. On July 29, Ted Yoho introduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 7855), which sought to clarify and strengthen the U.S. commitment to defending Taiwan in the event of an armed attack, stating that "the bill draws a red line for Beijing, asserting that Taiwan's future must be determined peacefully." Earlier, on July 17, Ted Yoho told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs that "The bill will clearly specify that if China invades Taiwan, it will authorize the U.S. president to use force in response, with a 5-year sunset provision." Due to the timing of the 2020 United States presidential election, the bill did not make it to the agenda.
On January 5, 2021, just days before President Donald Trump's departure from office, the White House National Security Council declassified a 2017 document outlining the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. The document, approved by President Trump in February 2018, was released to the public on January 12, 2021. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Robert O'Brien stated in the declassified memorandum that the document transparently demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and its strategic partnerships. On January 12, the White House National Security Council released documents. The document specifically addressed one of China's seven major objectives, which was to "prevent China from using force against the U.S. and its allies and partners, while developing capabilities and plans to defeat China in various conflicts." Among the defense strategies outlined, three key points were identified:
Deny China continuous air and naval dominance in the first island chain during a conflict Defend the first island chain nations, including Taiwan Dominate all areas outside the first island chain.
2021–present legislative and executive actions On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden took office and continued a tough policy toward China, with the China–United States trade war ongoing. After the new Congress convened, on February 18, Republican Senator Rick Scott and Representative Guy Reschenthaler reintroduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Scott's proposal (S.332 - Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act) aimed to:
Help Taiwan counter Communist China's military buildup across the Taiwan Strait; Establish a limited authorization for the president to use military force specifically to secure and protect Taiwan from armed attack.
In response to the military pressure from the People's Republic of China, Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, and certain U.S. lawmakers advocated for the U.S. government to adopt a strategy of "strategic clarity" to deter the possibility of China using force to liberation of Taiwan. On April 29, the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services held a hearing on global threats the U.S. faces. When Committee Chairman, Democratic Senator Jack Reed, asked whether the U.S. should shift from a policy of strategic ambiguity to one of making clear commitments to Taiwan, the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines responded that the People's Republic of China would view the U.S. commitment to Taiwan as "creating tremendous instability," which could lead China to "aggressively undermine U.S. interests globally." She also noted that such a policy shift "could potentially" push Taiwan further toward declaring independence.
On May 4, during a discussion hosted by the Financial Times, Kurt Campbell, the U.S. National Security Council's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Coordinator, responded to calls from U.S. figures urging the government to clarify its position on defending Taiwan. He stated that such a clear commitment would have "significant drawbacks." He warned that if the People's Republic of China (PRC) were to use force to unify Taiwan and the U.S. intervened to defend Taiwan, any conflict arising between the PRC and the U.S. over Taiwan would "not likely be confined to a small geographic area." He continued, saying, "I think it would quickly escalate and fundamentally destroy the global economy in ways that no one could predict."
On October 21, during a CNN interview, President Joe Biden was asked, "If China attacks Taiwan, will the U.S. defend Taiwan?" Biden answered twice, "Yes, we have a commitment." On October 22, White House Press Secretary stated, "The President's comments do not signal any change in our policy. Our policy remains unchanged." On the same day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, while at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, affirmed U.S. support for Taiwan's forces but refused to confirm Biden's statements regarding military defense of Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, when asked about the risk of NATO forces being involved in a potential U.S.-PRC conflict over Taiwan, declined to "speculate on a hypothetical situation."
In April 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe published an article in a U.S. newspaper, comparing Taiwan to Ukraine and urging the U.S. to make a clear commitment to defend Taiwan. On April 15, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Zhao Lijian, during a regular press conference, responded by stating, "Some Japanese politicians have repeatedly made irresponsible comments on Taiwan, interfering in China's internal affairs, provoking great power confrontation, and with ulterior motives. China strongly opposes this. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. The Taiwan issue is entirely China's internal matter, fundamentally different from the issue of Ukraine, and there is no comparison to be made. Japan once colonized Taiwan for half a century, committing numerous atrocities and bearing serious historical responsibility to the Chinese people. Japanese politicians should be especially cautious on the Taiwan issue and avoid sending the wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces."
On May 23, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden, during his visit to Japan, clearly stated at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the U.S. would deploy American troops to assist in defending Taiwan. The next day, Biden clarified that the U.S. would maintain its "strategic ambiguity" policy toward Taiwan.
On September 17, 2022, Biden reiterated, during an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, that the U.S. would deploy forces to defend Taiwan if China were to attack.