Richard Haas, president of the American Institute of Foreign Affairs: The United States must act cautiously on the Taiwan issue

An article published on the website of the Los Angeles Times on October 19 pointed out that the United States must be cautious on the Taiwan issue. The author is Richard Haas, president of the American Institute of Foreign Affairs. The full text is excerpted below:

Sino-US relations are expected to play a major role in characterizing this era. The U.S.-China relationship is likely to depend on whether the two countries can continue to avoid armed conflict over the Taiwan issue. The problem facing the United States and its partners is how to avoid such an outcome without sacrificing fundamental interests.

Problems are solvable in principle, but the situation can only be managed at best. Trying to see Taiwan as a solvable problem would not only end in failure, but would most likely lead to a conflict that would seriously worsen everything. The reason for this is that there can simply be no universally acceptable outcome.

However, the diplomatic framework forged between the United States and China 40 years ago , under which both sides largely agreed to preserve differences on Taiwan — allowed the two countries to avoid conflict and build a fruitful relationship. China and the United States later established deep economic relations.

For a long time, US officials have consistently expressed their support for "Taiwan independence," a move aimed at preventing the Taiwan authorities from triggering a crisis.

This means continuing to make it clear to the Taiwan authorities that the United States must act cautiously. Some argue that this would give China too much influence. But successful foreign policy often requires tough trade-offs. To avoid the prospect of war and maintain a working relationship with the world's second-largest economy, a global power capable of influencing outcomes on issues such as climate change, world health, and nonproliferation, the United States cannot afford to constrain Taiwan.

What is needed now is appropriate policy adjustments to deal with a stronger and stronger China.

At the same time, the Biden administration should make it clear that it will not deviate from the "one-China" policy that the United States has long recognized taiwan as part of China.

Source: Reference News Network