TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A poll released on Tuesday (Oct. 8) found that 36% of Americans support sending troops to defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion.

In the latest survey by the independent US think tank, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 51% of American respondents believe the US should encourage Taiwan to maintain the status quo, while 36% think Taiwan should move toward independence and 4% support unification with China. In addition, 58% of respondents oppose “putting US forces into a position that could lead to war with China.”

The survey found that Americans generally have a favorable view of Taiwan at 58% with 62% supporting its inclusion in international organizations and 61% favoring its recognition as an independent country. However, there is hesitation on Taiwan-related issues, such as reluctance to commit US troops to defend Taiwan or intervene in a military conflict between Taipei and Beijing.

In the event of a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan, 74% of respondents believe the US should airlift food and medical supplies to support Taiwan, 72% back imposing sanctions on Beijing, and 59% support providing Taiwan with military aid. However, only 36% backed sending troops, and 37% favored dispatching the US navy to break a blockade, fearing it would lead to a direct war between the US and China.

Nevertheless, 42% of respondents support committing to defending Taiwan and 59% favor signing a free trade agreement between the US and Taiwan. 

Craig Kafura, the report's author and director of Public Opinion and US Foreign Policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, noted the results may seem puzzling at first glance. While 61% of Americans support recognizing Taiwan as independent and 45% say it should seek sovereignty even if it leads to war with China, 51% believe Taiwan should maintain the status quo. 

Kafur concluded that Americans want to avoid conflict with China. “The threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan looms large over this debate, and that threat of violence affects the kind of policies Americans want their country to pursue,” said Kafur.

The survey was conducted from June 21 to July 1 by Ipsos on the online platform KnowledgePanel in both English and Spanish, with 2,106 American adults over 18 from all 50 states and the District of Columbia participating. The poll had a margin of error of ±2.3%.