KW: For decades, the U.S. has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding whether the U.S. would come to the aid of Taiwan if China invaded. Most observers quietly believed the U.S. would help Taiwan militarily, yet that policy was never proclaimed publicly in order not to provoke China needlessly.

But when recently asked by a reporter if the U.S. would use force to defend Taiwan, Biden answered “Yes.” With that single word, the policy of strategic ambiguity went out the window. The problem is that Biden may have provoked a war over Taiwan, rather than deterring one.

China considers Taiwan part of China and has repeatedly said it will control Taiwan eventually by one means or another, including an invasion. By negating strategic ambiguity, China might conclude that now is the time to strike.

Source: Taiwan overshadows Quad talks, Japan scrambles jets | Reuters