Taiwan-US Relations

US Official Says Risk of China-Taiwan Conflict Lower Than Previously Stated

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A senior US State Department official says the risk of Chinese military action against Taiwan may be lower than some previous assessments have suggested. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre told CNBC that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said he wants China to be in a position to reunify Taiwan by 2027, but has not said he would do so by that date. DeSombre described Xi as a rational actor and argued that strong deterrence and the prospect of substantial consequences can help prevent conflict. His comments come as US President Donald Trump has yet to approve a proposed US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan.

Risk of Conflict in the Taiwan Strait

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REPORTER:  
A senior US State Department official says the risk of Chinese military action against Taiwan is lower than other officials have previously stated.

Michael DeSombre (US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, EAST ASIAN & PACIFIC AFFAIRS):  
President Xi has said has said that he wants to be in a position to be able to reunify Taiwan in 2027, not that that he would do so. And I think he’s a very rational actor that a very rational actor To the extent that he realizes that it can’t be done, or it can’t be done without substantial consequences, it won’t happen.

REPORTER:  
Assistant Secretary of State Michael DeSombre told CNBC that neither Beijing nor Washington wants conflict, and that keeping deterrence in place can prevent it. The comments come as US President Donald Trump stalls approval of a 14 billion US dollar arms package for Taiwan. Trump could meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a third time this year on the sidelines of an APEC summit in Shenzhen, China in November.
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Taiwan Strait Risks

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REPORTER:  
A senior US State Department official says investors may be overestimating the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

Michael DeSombre (US STATE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT SECRETARY, EAST ASIAN PACIFIC AFFAIRS):  
President Xi has said has said that he wants to be in a position to be able to reunify Taiwan in 2027, not that that he would do so. And I think he’s a very rational actor that a very rational actor To the extent that he realizes that it can’t be done, or it can’t be done without substantial consequences, it won’t happen.

REPORTER:  
DeSombre told CNBC in Singapore that neither Beijing nor Washington wants conflict, and that keeping deterrence in place with US allies and partners can prevent it. The comments come as US President Donald Trump continues to hold back a 14 billion US dollar arms package for Taiwan. Trump could also meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the third time this year at the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.
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