White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed despite escalating tension between the country and China.
On Tuesday, Taiwanese forces fired upon a Chinese drone for the first time, just days after U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) visited the region.
TAIWAN FIRES WARNING SHOTS AT CHINESE DRONE: REPORT
“We remain committed to our One China policy, as you’ve heard us say these past several weeks,” she told reporters traveling with President Joe Biden to Pennsylvania. “In accordance with that policy, we will continue to fly, will continue to sail and operate where international law allows us to stay consistent with our long-standing commitment, again, to freedom of navigation, and that includes conducting standard air and maritime traffic transits through the Taiwan Strait.”
Jean-Pierre reiterated the White House’s commitment to “deepening our ties with Taiwan, including through continuing to advance our economic and trade relationship.”
Reports surfaced Monday that the Biden White House had been privately lobbying lawmakers on the approval of a billion-dollar arms deal that would send hundreds of missiles to Taiwan.
Jean-Pierre declined to comment on those reports Tuesday, doubling down on previous U.S. policy outlined by the Taiwan Relations Act.
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You can listen to Tuesday’s full gaggle below.
