Biden Says He Would Be Willing to Use Force to Defend Taiwan against China

23 May 2022, Japan, Tokyo: US President Joe Biden reacts during a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not pictured) following their meeting at Akasaka Guest House. (dpa)
23 May 2022, Japan, Tokyo: US President Joe Biden reacts during a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not pictured) following their meeting at Akasaka Guest House. (dpa)
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Biden Says He Would Be Willing to Use Force to Defend Taiwan against China

23 May 2022, Japan, Tokyo: US President Joe Biden reacts during a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not pictured) following their meeting at Akasaka Guest House. (dpa)
23 May 2022, Japan, Tokyo: US President Joe Biden reacts during a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not pictured) following their meeting at Akasaka Guest House. (dpa)

US President Joe Biden said on Monday he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan against Chinese aggression in a comment that seemed to stretch the limits of the ambiguous US policy towards the self-ruled island.

While Washington is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, it has long followed a policy of "strategic ambiguity" on whether it would intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

After Biden made the remark at a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, an aide said the president's statement represented no change in the long-standing American stance to the island that China claims as its own.

A reporter asked Biden if the United States would defend Taiwan if it were attacked. "Yes," the president answered.

"That's the commitment we made," said Biden, who helped build an international coalition trying to thwart Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We agree with a one-China policy. We've signed on to it and all the intended agreements made from there. But the idea that, that it (Taiwan) can be taken by force, just taken by force, is just not, is just not appropriate," he said.

Biden added it was his expectation that such an event would not happen or be attempted.

But the comment was likely to be closely watched in a region worried about China's rising influence. China has been a key topic for Biden on his inaugural trip to Asia.

A White House official later said there was no change in policy toward Taiwan, a point reiterated by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a Pentagon briefing.

"As the president said, our 'one China' policy has not changed," Austin said. He said Biden had stressed the US commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act "to help provide Taiwan the means to defend itself."

China considers the democratic island its territory, under its "one China" principle, and says it is the most sensitive and important issue in its relationship with Washington.

China has no room for compromise or concessions on matters relating to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a news briefing.

Taiwan's foreign ministry thanked Biden for his support.

Biden's national security aides shifted in their seats and appeared to be studying Biden closely as he responded to the question on Taiwan. Several looked down.

Biden made a similar comment in October, saying "Yes, we have a commitment to do that" when asked if the United States would come to the defense of Taiwan. At that time, a White House spokesperson said Biden was not announcing any change in US policy and one analyst referred to the comment as a "gaffe".

Despite the White House insistence that Monday's comments did not represent a change of policy, Grant Newsham, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and now a research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, said the meaning was clear.

"This statement deserves to be taken seriously," Newsham said. "It is a clear enough statement that the US will not sit by if China attacks Taiwan."

'Toughen the policy'
Biden made other tough comments about Beijing's increasingly assertive posture in the region, saying he hoped Russian President Vladimir Putin would pay a price for his invasion of Ukraine in part to show China what it would face if it were to invade Taiwan.

"They're seeking to toughen their policy but without necessarily provoking China," said James Brown, an associate professor at Temple University Japan.

Biden's remarks are also likely to overshadow the centerpiece of his Japan visit, the launch of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a broad plan providing an economic pillar for US engagement with Asia.

During his time in Tokyo, Biden is also scheduled to meet the leaders of India and Australia - the other members of the Quad, an informal security grouping formed to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese premier Kishida emphasized Tokyo's readiness to take a more robust defense posture, something the United States has long welcomed.

Kishida said he told Biden that Japan would consider various options to boost its defense capabilities, including the ability to retaliate. That would include a "considerable increase" in its defense budget, Kishida said.

Japan's role in any conflict over Taiwan would be to enable a US operation and help the United States defend its assets, said Yoji Koda, a retired Maritime Self Defense Force admiral and former fleet commander.

"Japan's role in that would be substantial. Japan is an enabler of that security deterrence," he said.

Kishida said that he had gained support from Biden on Japan becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council amid growing calls for reform of the council. China and Russia are permanent members.



Macron to Raise Defense Targets, Citing Russia Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025.  EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL  MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT
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Macron to Raise Defense Targets, Citing Russia Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025.  EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL  MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called for a massive boost to France's defense spending, saying freedom in Europe was facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II.

"We are living a pivotal moment," Macron said in a speech to the armed forces on the eve of the national Bastille Day holiday, denouncing "imperialist policies", "annexing powers" and the notion that "might is right", all a reference to Russia, AFP said.

"Never has peace on our continent depended to such an extent on the decisions that we take now," said Macron.

France faced the challenge "of remaining free and masters of our destiny", he added.

Macron said France's defense budget should rise by 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in 2026, and then by a further three billion euros in 2027.

'Present at their battle stations'

"If you want to be feared, you must be powerful," he said, calling for "mobilization" for national defense by all government departments.

"Everyone must be present at their battle stations," Macron said.

"We are still ahead, but if we remain at the same speed we will be overtaken tomorrow," he added.

French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defense Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a "durable" threat to Europe and that the "rank of European countries in tomorrow's world" was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022.

Russia currently views France as its "main adversary in Europe", Burkhard said.

He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks.

"We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters," he said.

On Sunday, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that "it's our job to provide answers".

France needed to make "a new effort" if it wanted to "depend on nobody" in the future, the minister said.

France's defense budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from 32.2 billion euros ($37.6 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach 67 billion euros in 2030.

'Sacrosanct' defense budget

If confirmed, the major defense spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline.

The servicing of France's debt alone will cost the Treasury 62 billion euros this year.

But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defense budget to be "sacrosanct" and exempt from budgetary cuts.

In Sunday's speech, Macron rejected any financing of the additional defense spending through additional debt.

Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance's members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security.

Britain aims to increase its defense budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defense budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 percent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 percent of GDP to defense.

"Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks," Macron said on Thursday.

Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defenses, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities.

In Sunday's interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in "disruptive technologies" including artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost "national cohesion" in the face of global crises, Elysee officials said.

Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilization drive for young people who should be given "an opportunity to serve", Elysee officials said.