TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday (March 4) that the United States should change its Taiwan policy from its long-standing "strategic ambiguity" to "clarity."
At an event hosted by the Prospect Foundation, Pompeo again made it clear he believes the U.S. government should "diplomatically recognize Taiwan as a legal, democratically governed country." The potential 2024 presidential hopeful said the safety of a vibrant democracy and one of the world's important economies is sitting on the frontline of the challenge from communist China, and losing Taiwan would imperil the U.S.' national interest and the world.
At the beginning of the speech, he praised Taiwan's strong economic growth during the pandemic and its influence around the world, pointing out that a large percentage of electronic products have been manufactured by Taiwanese companies such as Foxconn. Pompeo said he looks forward to seeing Taiwan and the U.S. work more closely together economically to address more issues and reduce dependence on China.
Pompeo cited Russia's war on Ukraine while stressing the importance of a stronger collaboration among freedom-loving countries, saying this is crucial to deter the military ambitions of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping (習近平). He lamented that engagement with these dictatorships had created a "Frankenstein" at the expense of national and regional security.
Pompeo continued to say that he felt blessed for being allowed to reverse course on this. "That should be stopped," he said.
He described Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong's civil liberties as an unforgettable moment during his term as the secretary of state and one that convinced him more real action should be taken. "The U.S.' attitude plays a decisive role," he added.
"We should take our obligations seriously and strengthen our ties while cutting reliance on China and Russia."
Pompeo emphasized that democracies should support each other and not enable China to dominate the world. "We need to help Taiwan defend itself with military sales, and the U.S. must support Taiwan to join international organizations. It is good for Taiwan, for the U.S., and for the world."
During the speech, Pompeo advocated changing American foreign policy on Taiwan from its traditional strategic ambiguity to clarity. "In my view, that is a long-overdue step... and Taiwanese people deserve respect from the world as a vibrant democracy at the forefront against the communist regime." He commented that losing Taiwan as a partner would be a loss and that the U.S. should dedicate itself to its commitment to the island country.
"We have to make sure Xi thinks he doesn't get a free pass to do whatever he likes and a bad actor will pay an enormous price." "Clarity matters," he said. He also expressed the hope that China can one day become a democratic country, as he knows many Chinese living in the U.S. and around the world who enjoy their freedom.
He summed up by pointing out that freedom-loving countries should work together to draw a line between tyranny and freedom, cut reliance on China's economy, and work systematically to bring nations with shared values together to build capacity in order to respond to threats, including influence operations.
Pompeo's remarks came soon after he posted on Facebook that Washington should "offer the Republic of China (Taiwan) America’s diplomatic recognition as a free and sovereign country."
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers speech in Taipei on March 4. (Taiwan News, Sophia Yang photo)
