THE INTERNATIONAL VECTOR OF U.S. POLICY IMPACT ON TAIWAN: A CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2024-03-113-122Keywords:
Taiwan, United States of America, China, People’s Republic of China, relations, policyAbstract
The formal basis of contemporary U.S.-Taiwan relations is examined. Attention is given to the phrasing concerning the recognition of the “One China” policy and the absence of any official stance on whether Washington acknowledges or rejects Beijing’s claims to sovereignty over Taiwan. It is noted that from 1979 to 2016, no formal contacts occurred between the leaders of the United States and the Republic of China. An analysis of President Joseph Biden’s statements re- garding Taiwan from 2021 to 2024 is provided, highlighting a shift from “strate- gic ambiguity” to “strategic clarity.” The complex process for declaring Taiwan’s independence, which requires amendments to the Republic of China’s Constitu- tion, is emphasized.
The “Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act” passed by the U.S. Congress in 2022, is mentioned, with particular attention to its extension of the “Foreign Military Financing” program to Taiwan. The Taiwanese presidential elections, as well as the reactions from the People’s Republic of China and the United States, are also examined. It is emphasized that deterring the PRC from resolving the Taiwan issue through force is not feasible without the involvement of the U.S. and its re- gional allies, including South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. Attention is given to the plans of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global leader in semiconductor production, to build a third plant in Phoenix, Arizona (USA). It is determined that U.S. policy towards Taiwan is marked by the need to main- tain a balance of power in the Taiwan Strait. The current sisuation in the region underscores the importance of U.S.-Taiwan relations, the effectiveness of which is crucial for both regional and global stability. It is noted that the United States is Taiwan’s main arms supplier, and any delay in providing aid in the event of a PRC invasion would pose existential risks for Taiwan. A comparison is drawn with the six-month delay by the U.S. Congress in passing the aid package for Ukraine in 2023–2024.
Thus, the dynamic nature of international relations and the increasing risks of armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait underscore the topic’s relevance.
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