Last week, in an unscripted moment, President Joe Biden bluntly warned that if China invades Taiwan, the United States will come to the island’s defense. “We’ve made a commitment,” Biden told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo. Biden openly said what has been implicit for several years: The United States is willing to threaten force to deter China from invading Taiwan. His intention, then and now, was clear: to make Chinese President Xi Jinping think long and hard before considering an invasion. Paradoxically, though, even as he strengthens deterrence, Biden needs to reassure China that the United States is not covertly encouraging Taiwan to declare independence.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 31, 2022 18:15 UTC