An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  

Official Says U.S. Committed to Taiwan's Defense 

17 November 2022

From David Vergun

WASHINGTON -- The 2022 National Defense Strategy identifies China as the Defense Department’s pacing challenge, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs said. 

Speaking yesterday at the Politico Defense Summit, Ely Ratner said that as a direct result of this strategy, the Indo-Pacific is the priority theater with a focus on integrated deterrence, along with working with allies and partners in a whole-of-government approach. 

Spotlight: Focus on the Indo-Pacific

Regarding Taiwan, Ratner said the goal of integrated deterrence is to dissuade Chinese President Xi Jinping from thinking there's a rapid, low-cost way in which they can execute an invasion. 

The U.S. is committed to the defense of Taiwan, he said, and that's spelled out in the Taiwan Relations Act. 

The act includes the requirement to provide Taiwan with the arms it needs to defend itself, he said. Also, there's a considerable focus on the non-materiel side, which includes training, civil-military integration and society wide efforts. 

Defense in depth is part of the strategy of denial, Ratner said, noting that the island is mountainous, as well as urban, and Beijing currently doesn't have the capabilities to launch a successful invasion. 

Also, Beijing has been watching what's been happening in Ukraine and is most likely taking lessons from that to include seeing the economic costs on Moscow and Russia's dismal performance on the battlefield, he said. 

When the fiscal year 2023 defense budget comes out, it will be apparent that there's a careful alignment between strategy and the spending priorities involved in integrated deterrence, he said. 

That said, U.S. and DOD leadership are committed to dialog and diplomacy to ensure competition between the U.S. and China doesn't veer into conflict, Ratner said. 

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
New Korea Rotational Force announced
Feb. 15, 2025 - The U.S. Army last month announced that the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, will replace 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the...

USS Howard Conducts Port Visit in Otaru, Japan
Feb. 14, 2025 - OTARU, Japan (Feb. 11, 2025) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) concluded a port visit in Otaru, Japan, Feb 11...

3rd MLG to Support Multiple US/ROK Military Exercises
Feb. 14, 2025 - Hundreds of U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines are set to launch a nearly two-month series of bilateral training exercises across the South Korean Peninsula from February to April 2025...

USINDOPACOM Commander addresses Honolulu Defense Forum
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers opening remarks during the Honolulu Defense Forum at the Alohilani Resort in Honolulu on Feb. 13, 2025. The forum focuses on leveraging geography, private-public partnerships, and the power of alliances and partnerships to strengthen resilience and enhance deterrence. USINDOPACOM’s primary mission is the protection and defense of the homeland of the U.S., its people and its interests, by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angel Heraldez)
Feb. 14, 2025 - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivered the keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Waikiki, Hawaii, Feb. 13, 2025...

Breaking the Ice, Breaking up Ground: III MSB Marines conduct joint training event with Army 11th Engineer Battalion Soldiers
Feb. 14, 2025 - Early on the morning of February 6, 2025, the Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF Information Group joined Soldiers from 63rd Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division...
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon