U.S. policy on Taiwan unchanged, says Secretary of State Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed on Tuesday that the United States' policy toward Taiwan has not changed and that Washington is committed to preserving the current status quo. His remarks came during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, aiming to quell concerns about any potential shifts in U.S. support for the self-governing island.

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The most important thing is to understand that we want the status quo to be maintained. That is our position, that is what we have said, and that is what we continue to say.

"The most important thing is to understand that we want the status quo to be maintained. That is our position, that is what we have said, and that is what we continue to say," Rubio stated. He acknowledged the delicate nature of the relationship, describing it as "very sensitive" and difficult to balance, but reiterated, "our policy toward Taiwan is not changing."

Rubio's comments follow recent high-level discussions, including a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, which had raised questions about Washington's resolve to militarily support Taiwan. The People's Republic of China considers Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, its territory and has not renounced the use of force to achieve unification.

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It is a very sensitive relationship, which is difficult to balance, but our policy toward Taiwan is not changing.

The U.S. officially recognized Beijing in 1979, severing formal ties with Taiwan and acknowledging the "one China" policy. However, the U.S. Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) that same year, obligating the U.S. to supply Taiwan with "arms in the quantity necessary for its own defense" and maintain its ability to resist coercion. Rubio also noted that a $14 billion arms deal, previously delayed by Trump as a potential "negotiating chip," remains under review.

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very good negotiating chip