Why Does the United States Support Taiwan While Recognizing the One China Principle?

Why Does the United States Support Taiwan While Recognizing the One China Principle?

The U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship is one of the most complex issues in modern international politics. While Washington officially adheres to the "One China" principle—Beijing’s cornerstone foreign policy—it continues providing Taiwan with political and military support. This apparent contradiction raises questions about U.S. motives and how it balances these stances. This article explores the strategic, economic, and political reasons behind this duality.

What Is the One China Principle?

China insists Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, with only one China represented by the People’s Republic. This rejects Taiwan’s independence claims and views external support as interference. The U.S. endorsed this since the 1970s under Nixon, recognizing "one China" without explicitly affirming Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan.

Official Commitment, Flexible Interpretation

The U.S. acknowledges Beijing’s stance without fully endorsing it, allowing unofficial ties with Taiwan—a pragmatic approach.

Why Support Taiwan?

Several reasons drive U.S. support for Taiwan, spanning strategic, economic, and ideological factors:

Strategic Importance

Taiwan’s location in the Asia-Pacific, part of the "First Island Chain," is a natural defense against Chinese military expansion. Control by China could threaten U.S. forces and allies like Japan and South Korea, making Taiwan’s support key to regional balance.

Economic Role

Taiwan produces over 90% of advanced semiconductors vital for smartphones, cars, and medical devices. Chinese control could jeopardize the global economy, including U.S. interests.

Shared Democratic Values

As a democracy, Taiwan aligns with U.S. ideals, reinforcing Washington’s image as a defender of freedom against authoritarian regimes like China.

Balancing Support and Commitment

The U.S. uses "strategic ambiguity," not explicitly promising to defend Taiwan but supplying defensive weapons and maintaining a strong regional military presence to deter aggression.

Legislation

The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act mandates military support without a formal alliance. Recent bipartisan moves in February 2025 reaffirm this commitment.

Avoiding Escalation

The U.S. avoids direct confrontation with China. In February 2025, removing "we do not support Taiwan independence" from its website angered Beijing, but the U.S. clarified its policy hadn’t fundamentally shifted.

The U.S. support for Taiwan reflects a delicate balance of strategic, economic, and ideological interests. Through strategic ambiguity, it deters China while preserving global stability—a persistent challenge for American foreign policy amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.