US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Labels China an 'Ally' Amidst Intensified US-Taiwan Ties Bill Signed by Trump

US Treasury Secretary Calls China an 'Ally' Amid New US-Taiwan Ties Bill

In a surprising move following US President Donald Trump's enactment of legislation designed to deepen ties with Taiwan, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday described the United States as an ally to both mainland China and Taiwan. Bessent made these remarks at The New York Times DealBook Summit, emphatically stating that US relationships in the region remained unchanged despite the new bill. His comments come at a time when the Trump administration's approach to the long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan has drawn scrutiny.

Bessent's Stance on US-China-Taiwan Relations

When pressed on concerns within Washington about this policy shift, Bessent reiterated, "The United States is an ally of China. The relationship remains unchanged." However, he conspicuously sidestepped a direct answer when asked to clarify if the US was an ally of Taiwan, simply restating, "the relationship remains unchanged." Furthermore, he declined to address the hypothetical question of whether the US would come to Taiwan's defense in the event of a Chinese invasion, dismissing it as purely speculative.

Implications of Trump's New Legislation

The new legislation, signed by President Trump, mandates regular reviews and updates of guidelines pertaining to US interactions with Taiwan. This move has been perceived as a significant step towards strengthening US-Taiwan cooperation, potentially further straining US-China relations.

Taiwan's Perspective Amid Escalating Tensions

Adding another layer to the complex dynamic, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te, in a recorded video interview at the same summit, issued a stark warning about Beijing's escalating military activities around the island. He noted that these drills were "becoming increasingly frequent and intense." While expressing confidence in the continuity and expansion of cooperation with Taiwan since President Trump took office, Lai refrained from directly confirming his belief in US military intervention if an invasion were to occur.

This evolving situation highlights the delicate balance of US foreign policy, attempting to manage deep economic and political ties with China while simultaneously bolstering support for democratic Taiwan. Bessent's choice of words underscores a concerted effort to placate Beijing amidst legislative actions that could be interpreted as provocative.