US’s role in Taiwan-China Relationship
The US’s role in the One-China dispute spans many decades and requires careful diplomacy to maintain a workable relationship with both governments. America assumed much responsibility for Taiwan’s security when the Taiwan Relations Act was signed in 1979. It supported Taiwan’s right to self-defense and led to the US supplying the island with military weapons. Pressuring China to find peaceful means of settling the dispute over Taiwanese independence is another US role, as is supporting Taiwan’s acceptance by the international community as an independent entity. However, the US carefully avoids recognizing Taiwan as a nation, in order to avoid a confrontation with China. Both Taiwan and China are major trading partners of the US, further complicating this tri-lateral relationship. For decades, we were Taiwan’s top trading partner, but changes implemented, partly to control its huge trade surplus, have led to now importing only one-fifth the amount of goods it exports to the US.