Republican presidential candidates told The Daily Caller they were wary of sending U.S. troops to Taiwan in the face of China’s attack and would not go as far as President Joe Biden’s promises to defend the island.
Biden has repeatedly said the United States would intervene militarily if China takes action against Taiwan, which the Chinese Communist government considers a rebellious region. The White House stressed that Biden’s remarks did not mark a departure from the United States’ longstanding policy of “strategic ambiguity” toward Taiwan, and that the United States is still sticking to its “one China policy.” (Related: Biden administration preparing plan to evacuate Americans from Taiwan: report)
In conversations with the Daily Caller, most Republican presidential campaigns did not voice their support for sending US troops. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to comment. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgham, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott emphasized deterrence. Four Republican candidates, Vivek Ramaswamy, Larry Elder, Mike Pence and Asa Hutchinson, directly said they were open to the possibility of sending US troops to Taiwan’s defense.
“As long as the US continues to rely on Taiwan for semiconductors, we will intervene militarily,” Ramaswamy said. No,” Ramaswamy’s spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, said. said to the caller. Conservative entrepreneurs have previously came up with an idea It is intended to provide Taiwanese civilians with AR-15 rifle and firearms training.
Here’s how to protect Taiwan without going to war with China. @NRA In Taiwan, put an AR-15 in the hands of every family member and train them how to use it. Then Xi Jinping will get a taste of American exceptionalism. pic.twitter.com/jLjcown8r2
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRAmaswamy) June 4, 2023
The elder told the caller, “I’m not going to tie our hands by committing now to future hypothetical situations, but all options are on the table.”
Pence spokesman Devin O’Malley told Kohler that the former vice president supports ensuring that U.S. forces are poised to defend Taiwan.
O’Malley said Pence would expand its navy and “strengthen its strategic presence in China to protect its military power in a great power race with the Chinese Communist Party and a resurgent Russia, as well as both NATO’s eastern flank and Taiwan. Securing the posture,” he said. We will contribute to regional development by strengthening strategic alliances with partners in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. ”
“I support sending a clear and unambiguous message to China that the United States will not accept attacks on Taiwan’s freedom and territory,” Hutchinson said. To that end, we will actively support Taiwan and provide military assistance to support Taiwan’s national defense.”
“It should be made clear that the United States reserves the right to deploy U.S. forces if it deems it useful to defend Taiwan. We will continue to work with Taiwan and other allies in the Indo-Pacific region. It is important for China to know that any aggression will be met with a decisive U.S. response,” the former Arkansas governor added.
Haley has made it clear that she does not support Biden’s campaign promises.
“No, what I’m saying is make sure they have the equipment, the ammunition and the training to beat them,” Haley said. Said At CNN’s Town Hall.
“Nikki Haley has always maintained that the United States stands by its allies, from Israel to Ukraine to Taiwan. It means providing Taiwan with the weapons it needs to defend itself against Chinese aggression, and it means maintaining a strong U.S. naval presence in the Taiwan Strait,” said Haley spokesman Ken Farnaso. told Kohler.
Bergum, who launched his presidential campaign on June 7, took a similar position to Haley, although he did not explicitly rule out a US military response.
“Our objective should be to defend Taiwan, be ready to win if necessary, and prevent a Chinese attack on Taiwan. To do that, we must deploy military forces in a way not seen in today’s administration.” We need to focus not only on economic deterrence, but also on economic national strategy,” Burgham told Kohler.
Republican South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has so far refused to answer a hypothetical question about how he would react to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, but also said: Said The United States “must continue to provide resources to Taiwan’s military,” he said. (Related: Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan amid China threat)
Experts predict that China will attack Taiwan in the near future, and former Indo-Pacific Command commander Philip Davidson said communist forces would try to occupy the island by 2027. Half of the Americans surveyed may believe there will be a war between the United States and China. “
