TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said on Wednesday (Oct. 23) that the US policy of strategic ambiguity serves as a deterrent against potential Chinese aggression.
Koo’s comments came in response to KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao’s (賴士葆) question regarding former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s recent remarks about his reaction in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Lai noted that while Trump suggested bombing Beijing in May, he has since shifted his position, now favoring sanctions, per CNA.
Lai drew parallels between Trump’s comments and the US approach to assisting Ukraine, which focuses on providing military aid rather than deploying combat troops. In reply, Koo referenced the US policy of strategic ambiguity that neither explicitly confirms nor denies the possibility of sending troops to Taiwan.
He emphasized that this longstanding US stance helps deter potential Chinese aggression. Koo added that Taiwan does not need to adopt a similar position, arguing that, without any prospect of invading China, Taiwan is the defender in any potential conflict.
Koo outlined Taiwan’s aim to prevent escalation into total war and to thwart China’s invasion plans if preventive measures fail.
When asked by Lai whether Taiwan could breach a Chinese-imposed blockade, Koo replied the military would take all the necessary countermeasures to disrupt such a blockade.
He expressed skepticism that the international community would remain passive while China invades Taiwan, citing the significant volume of trade through the Taiwan Strait.
