In what is being described as a major diplomatic “ask,” Chinese President Xi Jinping is pressuring his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, to fundamentally redraw American policy towards Taiwan. The specific request is for the U.S. to adopt the word “oppose” in its official statements on Taiwanese independence, a change that would represent a historic concession to Beijing.
This is a significant escalation from the current U.S. position of “not supporting” independence. The latter is a carefully chosen phrase that allows for flexibility and maintains the long-standing policy of “strategic ambiguity.” The word “oppose,” by contrast, is a clear, unequivocal alignment with China’s position, and would be a devastating blow to Taiwan.
The demand is part of a broader set of negotiations between the two global powers, covering a wide range of economic and security issues. The fact that this “ask” is on the table highlights China’s strategy of using its economic leverage to achieve its core geopolitical objectives, with the unification of Taiwan being paramount.
The Trump administration’s response is being closely watched around the world. A decision to accommodate Beijing would be seen as a sign of waning American influence and a willingness to sacrifice democratic partners for economic gain. It would also raise serious questions about the reliability of U.S. security commitments to other allies in the region.
For Taiwan, the situation is critical. The self-governing island relies heavily on its unofficial partnership with the U.S. A change in American policy would leave it more vulnerable to China’s increasing military, economic, and diplomatic pressure. The outcome of this “major ask” could well determine Taiwan’s future.
64