(Dec 3): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law a measure forcing the State Department to review guidelines for the country’s engagement with Taiwan, according to the White House, amid escalating concerns that China could move against the self-governing island.
The measure requires periodic State Department reviews to explain how the guidelines deepen the relationship between the US and Taiwan. The assessments, required at least every five years, also must identify and detail opportunities to lift self-imposed limitations on US-Taiwan engagement.
Representative Ann Wagner, the Missouri Republican who sponsored the bill, said the legislation “sends the message that we stand strong against the Chinese Communist Party’s dangerous efforts to dominate the region”.
Trump’s signature comes after a call in which his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, reiterated that unification is a critical issue for China, which considers the self-governed democracy of Taiwan part of its territory.
It also follows comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that any Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force could pose an existential risk to her country, a classification that could open a legal pathway for Japanese troops to be involved in any potential response should the situation arise.
Takaichi’s remarks — in which she appeared to be outlining hypothetical security contingencies in response to questions from Parliament — drew outrage in Beijing.
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When asked about Trump signing the measure, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the US should “handle the Taiwan issue with utmost caution”.
Lin reiterated at the regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday that his nation opposed “any form of official exchanges between the US and Taiwan”.
US leaders have traditionally maintained an approach of strategic ambiguity when it comes to Taiwan. Under the approach, the US reserves the right to use force but doesn’t explicitly say whether it would intervene in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
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