That is part of it.
But more importantly, Trump is currently the favourite to win the next presidential election which will kick off in 3 years time.
We know that whatever is agreed now will not be honoured by Trump.
That is part of it.
But more importantly, Trump is currently the favourite to win the next presidential election which will kick off in 3 years time.
We know that whatever is agreed now will not be honoured by Trump.
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
For First Time, Half of Americans Favor Defending Taiwan If China Invades
Dina Smeltz, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy and Public Opinion
Craig Kafura, Assistant Director, Foreign Policy and Public Opinion
August 2021
Tensions between Beijing and Taipei are running high. Chinese intimidation of Taiwan has increased since
2016, demonstrated by naval drills in the Taiwan Strait, incursions into Taiwanese airspace, and economic
coercion targeted at Taiwanese industries. In turn, the United States has sold advanced weapons to Taiwan
and normalized US warship transits nearby. While past administrations have not made formal commitments
to defend Taiwan, the just-completed 2021 Chicago Council Survey finds that for the first time, a slim
majority of Americans now favor sending US troops to defend Taiwan if China invades.
Key Findings
• The American public supports a range of US policies in support of Taiwan. Majorities favor US
recognition of Taiwan as an independent country (69%), supporting its inclusion in international
organizations (65%), and signing a US-Taiwan free trade agreement (57%).
• A slimmer majority (53%) support the United States' signing a formal alliance with Taiwan, and a
plurality (46%) favor explicitly committing to defend Taiwan if China invades.
• When asked about a range of potential scenarios, just over half of Americans (52%) favor using US
troops to defend if China were to invade the island. This is the highest level ever recorded in the
Council’s surveys dating back to 1982, when the question was first asked.
o Republicans(60%) are more likely to support sending US troops to Taiwan’s defense than
Democrats (50%) or Independents (49%) – see appendix for more information on partisan
divides and Taiwan.
• At the same time, Americans are divided over whether the United States should (50%) or should not
(47%) sell arms and military equipment to Taiwan.
• Distrust of China is a significant factor in US public support for Taiwan: while most Americans
see Taiwan as an ally (30%) or necessary partner (30%), most see China as a rival (32%) or an
adversary (29%).
10, 20, 40 or even 100 doesn't matter, if China attacks Taiwan and POTUS wants to counter then assets will be moved. If POTUS wants justification having any asset got shot by China is enough to drive public opinion.
Agreed. Which is why I am leaning on the PLA/PLAN/PLAAF will allow some of it's forces to be sacrificed or be casualties in order for their military actions be seen as a legitimate military response against an aggression from America. Since the battle space isn't only strictly and strategically to convince the already convinced which is the Chinese public but the global south and other malleable countries in the western world that can be persuaded not to take actions that's going to be deleterious to their own survival especially when China has video proof that American forces fired first against PLA assets.
Just curious do you believe that Taiwan is under US nuclear umbrella?
I highly doubted. Taiwan is neither Japan nor Australia. However, should the PLA launch an invasion of Taiwan, it would be very hard for Washington to take no conventional military actions. Taiwan remains the most power foreign lobbyist in Washington after Israel. Americans also tend to romanticize Taiwan as a liberal David struggling against a communist autocratic Goliath. Congress will therefore most likely push for military actions should there be a war over Taiwan.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
But it will quickly morph into nuclear war as there is no way one can limit only to conventional war. we are doom!
that is why their opinion should not matter. China must be willing to escalate to the highest level which is the only way to establish deterrence.