Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan, stating the island will not be abandoned despite Chinese pressure to alter the long-standing US Taiwan policy.
Marco Rubio Taiwan Support Reaffirmed
Rubio directly addressed concerns that Taiwan could be used as a bargaining chip in ongoing US-China trade talks. He stressed that Taiwan should not be worried about the negotiations with Beijing.
“[I don’t think you’re going to see some trade deal where…we’re going to get favorable treatment on trade in exchange for walking away from Taiwan,]” Rubio said. He added, “[No one is contemplating that.]“
China Seeks US Taiwan Policy Shift
Chinese President Xi Jinping is actively pushing for a US One China policy change ahead of a meeting with President Donald Trump. Beijing has asked the Trump administration to alter its official language regarding the island’s sovereignty.
Specifically, China wants Washington to change its position from “does not support” Taiwan’s independence to formally “opposing” it. Such a shift would represent a key diplomatic win for China.
Trump Deflects Ahead of Xi Meeting
When asked directly about the policy toward Taiwan, President Trump declined to provide a clear answer. He indicated a desire to avoid complicating his upcoming diplomatic tour of Asia.
“[I don’t want to talk about that now. I don’t want to create any complexity,]” Trump said. “[The trip is already complex enough.]“
High-Stakes Diplomatic Tour in Asia
The United States currently adheres to a “One China” policy, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China while also serving as the island’s biggest military backer. This issue remains a significant source of tension in the U.S.-China relationship.
President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi next week at a regional summit in South Korea. Secretary Rubio is traveling to join the president on a trip that also includes stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.
