Trump knows how to get under his adversaries’ skin. It’s part of what makes him such a good president.
And Donald Trump made on move that has China furious with rage.
China has voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration after the US State Department removed a key line from its website stating that US policy does “not support Taiwan independence.”
Beijing, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory despite the island’s self-governing status, reacted with sharp criticism, accusing Washington of a “serious regression” and demanding an immediate reversal.
“This move severely violates the one-China principle and three China-US joint communiqués, goes against international law and basic norms of international relations, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces,” Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Guo Jiakun stated to reporters.
“This is another example of the US clinging to its wrong policy of ‘using Taiwan to contain China.’”
A Long-Standing Dispute
The divide between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949, when the Chinese Civil War ended with nationalist forces retreating to the island while the communists assumed control of the mainland. In the 1970s, the US formally recognized the One China Policy under President Richard Nixon, agreeing that Taiwan was part of China and refraining from official diplomatic relations with the island.
However, despite its formal recognition of the One China Policy, Washington has long maintained what is often referred to as “strategic ambiguity” regarding Taiwan, sustaining unofficial ties to the island.
A Shift in US Messaging
Until last week, the State Department’s fact sheet on US-Taiwan relations explicitly stated that the US does “not support Taiwan independence.” The recent revision of this language has been welcomed in Taiwan, where officials see it as a sign of strengthening ties between Taipei and Washington.
“The U.S. State Department updated the ‘Current State of U.S.-Taiwan Relations’ page … with text that is positive and friendly toward us, reflecting the close and amicable partnership between Taiwan and the United States,” Taiwan’s government stated in remarks to The Associated Press.
US Downplays the Change
While China has condemned the update, US officials have sought to dismiss the controversy. A State Department representative told the New York Post that the adjustment was a routine update and did not signify a policy shift.
“The United States remains committed to its One China policy,” the official said. “The United States is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.”
Strategic Concerns
US officials have long feared that China may attempt to seize control of Taiwan, which is strategically significant due to its military positioning, trade importance, and dominance in semiconductor production. Some intelligence assessments suggest that Chinese leader Xi Jinping wants the country’s military to be prepared for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, though experts caution that does not necessarily mean such an action will occur by then.
Xi has also been closely watching global events, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as he weighs his approach toward Taiwan. While he has not ruled out military force, China has described Taiwan as a “core of core interests,” leaving little room for compromise. “We urge the U.S. to immediately correct its wrongdoings … [and] avoid further severe damage to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Guo warned on Monday.
The Trump administration has staffed key positions with officials known for advocating a tougher stance on China, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. As tensions rise, the US-China relationship faces increasing uncertainty, but Donald Trump and his administration won’t back down from any threats that China sends America’s way.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
