TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that US President Donald Trump's policy is that Taiwan's status should not be changed by violence or extortion.
In an interview with Rubio that aired on Thursday, radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt asked whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) believes in deterrence and whether the US can deter him from attacking Taiwan, per CNA. Rubio said it is a difficult question as Xi believes the annexation of Taiwan is "fundamental to his identity and to what he wants to be part of his legacy."
Rubio said, “I do think you can delay and deter by making the price of taking Taiwan higher than what he perceives to be the benefit.” However, Rubio also warned, “He wants that to be the defining crown jewel of his time in power.”
He described the situation in the Taiwan Strait as “very delicate.” He stressed that US policy remains unchanged: “We do not believe that there should be any violent and/or extortion-based change to (Taiwan's) status.”
Hewitt described TSMC CEO C.C. Wei's (魏哲家) announcement of another NT$3.29 trillion (US$100 billion) investment in the US as a “big deal.” Hewitt then asked, “Is that a signal of our resolve to stand by Taiwan?”
Rubio said that US policy has remained consistent and the “status of Taiwan should not be changed by force or extortion or compelled in any way.” Rubio said that is Trump's policy and “when he makes policy decisions, he means them.”
As for the much-anticipated US-China summit, Trump mentioned on Monday that Xi will visit the US “in the not-too-distant future,” per Reuters.
Rubio said a Trump-Xi meeting will eventually happen but has not been scheduled. “We have to know what the meeting will be about and what the result of the meeting is going to be.”
Rubio also reiterated his stance on China, saying, “I think the Chinese believe that they are on a path toward becoming the most powerful nation on earth,” he said, adding they think this is inevitable, “it's just a matter of time.”
He said it is possible that China could surpass the US through competition and innovation. However, he said that if the US unilaterally allows China to rise while it disregards international rules “then that would be on us.”
Rubio argued that this has been happening for the past 20 years. Rubio also criticized the notion that allowing China to compete in trade, commerce, and intellectual property would eventually lead to its economic prosperity and, in turn, make it more like the US.
“That’s not what happened. They became rich, but they are not just like us.”
He reiterated that China would become a wealthy and powerful nation, and the US must engage with China responsibly. However, he warned against a world where the US depends on China for essential resources.
