US says ‘no change’ in Taiwan policy after Biden defense vow against China

The White House clarified Friday that there was no change in US policy on Taiwan after President Joe Biden promised to defend the island from Chinese attack, angering Beijing.

“The president was not announcing any change in our policy and there is no change in our policy,” a White House spokesperson said.

The White House said it was still guided by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, in which Congress required the US to provide the island weapons for its own defense but was ambiguous on whether the US would intervene militarily.

“We will uphold our commitment under the act to support Taiwan’s self-defense, and we will continue to oppose any unilateral changes in the status quo,” the spokesperson said.

Biden, asked at a CNN televised forum Thursday night if the US would come to Taiwan’s defense if China invaded, replied, “Yes.”

“We have a commitment to that,” he said.

The Taiwan Relations Act was passed when the US switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing and committed Washington to maintain de facto diplomatic relations with Taiwan.