Taiwan has confirmed that U.S. troops are permanently stationed on islands close to the Chinese mainland.[i] The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the U.S. Congress in 2023 has paved the way for American troops to come here to train forces on the front lines of Taiwan.
In 2021, Taiwan Leader Tsai Ing-wen announced that US instructors occasionally conduct training with Taiwanese armed service members. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment on specific reports but said all foreign military exchanges follow an annual plan. American military instructors are deployed to Penghu and Kinmen islands. Kinmen is only a mile off the coast of China and is the closest point to the mainland.
This Pacific-focused U.S. Special Forces Group’s 1st Battalion has been forward-deployed in Okinawa, Japan. Taiwan had previously reported the presence of an American military presence on Taoyuan Island in its northeast.
Since 1979, after the normalization of relations with China, the U.S. has not made an official military deployment in Taiwan, but military exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan have been indirectly acknowledged in the past. Although the U.S. shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing years ago, Washington continues to be Taiwan’s largest arms supplier.
The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 grants Washington the obligation to provide defense weapons to Taipei and to resist “any form of coercion or other pressures that would jeopardize the security or social or economic system of the people of Taiwan.” Taiwan’s acceptance of a U.S. military presence is undoubtedly a development that could further escalate tensions with China.[ii] It could be argued that Taiwan and the South China Sea will be a “real flashpoint” given the recent escalating conflicts between the Philippines and China in disputed waters. Because former US National Security Advisor John Bolton claims that America and its allies will soon be tested by a crisis in the South China Sea.[iii]
Following high-level diplomatic meetings between US and Taiwanese officials, including Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to Washington in April 2023, the region in question is seen by many as a “powder keg”. Bolton continued his words as follows:[iv] “I think there are some things we need to consider, like moving some American naval vessels there, and from the very beginning, we need to tell the Chinese: ‘When you blockade these, you’re not just blockading the Taiwanese, but you’re also blockading the Americans.'”
In addition to its military presence, the US’s diplomatic contacts are also becoming more frequent. For example, a delegation of deputies from the US House of Representatives visited Taiwan on February 22, 2024 and held high-level contacts.[v] This step is undoubtedly seen as a new challenge to China’s sovereignty. Because the visit of then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in August 2021 led China to conduct major military exercises around the island.
In a meeting with Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen, Mike Gallagher emphasized that the U.S.-Taiwan partnership is “stronger and more solid than ever,” highlighting that both parties support Taiwan. Gallagher stated, “Taiwan has repeatedly shown the world how to stand up to China and not just survive but also thrive,” adding that promoting deeper ties between the U.S. and Taiwan economies could “enhance peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Tsai thanked the U.S. for continuing to help strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, saying, “Together, we are safeguarding freedom and democracy and maintaining regional peace.”
It is noteworthy that although the positive dialogue with China continues, the US is also tightening its relations with Taiwan. As a matter of fact, the US’s rapprochement with Taiwan is part of its strategy to contain China. On the other hand, Beijing draws attention to the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in relations with Washington. In general, Beijing is also against polarization and alliances. That’s why it attaches importance to keeping dialogue channels open with the US. But the danger here is that the US will take this as an opportunity and push China’s red lines.
Military exercises, dialogues in the Asia-Pacific, and increasing Western contacts with Taiwanese officials are drawing China’s response. Despite all this tension, China always keeps the door open for dialogue with the U.S. However, the benefits of this dialogue for each side are debatable. Essentially, the U.S. appears to benefit from these moderate relations, as Washington uses regional instability and security gaps to justify forming its own coalitions. China’s silence on these matters allows the U.S. to advance its interests.
As a result, the US is pushing harder against China by improving its relations with Taiwan. Although the parties agreed to put relations on track at the San Francisco Summit, Washington continues to go further and play the “Taiwan card”. There is a clear trust issue in US-China relations, which increases the risk of a possible war in the region.
[i] “Taiwan Confirms US Troops on Front-Line Islands Near China”, Newsweek, https://www.newsweek.com/taiwan-confirms-us-troops-front-line-islands-near-china-1880865, (Access Date: 22.08.2024).
[ii] “World on the brink as Taiwan admits US troops stationed on Chinese border”, Express, https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1879512/taiwan-usa-troops-china, (Access Date: 22.08.2024).
[iii] “China ready to blockade Taiwan as first part of ‘takeover’ plan”, Express, https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1773787/china-USA-taiwan-blockade-xi, (Access Date:22.08.2024).
[iv] İbid.
[v] “US-Taiwan: Why are so many Congressmen heading for Taipei?”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68346855, (Access Date: 22.08.2024).
