Tongue Tai’d at the WH

Biden errs again

Who’s in charge here anyway?

On Monday, for the third time since last August, the White House walked back comments by President Biden implying the US would aid Taiwan if the island came under attack from China.

During a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden was asked if the US would be prepared to defend Taiwan if such an attack took place.

“Yes,” the president answered.

“That’s the commitment we made. We agree with the One China policy. We signed on to it,” Biden added. “All the attendant agreements [were] made from there. But the idea that that can be taken by force, just taken by force. It’s just not — it’s just not appropriate.”

Policy change denied

But a White House spokesperson later insisted to Fox News that “As the president said, our policy has not changed. He reiterated our One China Policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.”

The One China policy refers to the US position that the Communist government in Beijing is the sole legal authority over the Asian nation and acknowledges — but does not accept — its claim that Taiwan is part of China.

Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the US is not required to militarily defend Taiwan, but is required to ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself.

Despite the clarification, China’s Foreign Ministry hit back Monday, expressing “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to Biden’s comments.

“No one should underestimate the strong determination, firm will, and strong ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and do not stand against the 1.4 billion Chinese people,” it said.

Happened before

Monday’s apparent walkback is not the first time the

White House has clarified or downplayed Biden’s firm stance in support of Taiwan.

Last August and in October, Biden made similar statements that the US would come to Taiwan’s defense if attacked by China, and on both occasions, the White House later insisted that there was, in fact, no change in policy.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) blasted the White House for the repeated clarifications Monday, tweeting: “Does anyone at the #WhiteHouse actually respect the words of @POTUS? Biden said we would defend #Taiwan, and the staff AGAIN walks back the Presidents own words! He needs to fire everyone who does this.”