broadsword
Brigadier
This is a signal that the US will abandon the idea of defending Taiwan in a major way if a conflict erupts. Probably because they know the military balance is now so lopsided in China's favor in any such attempt to directly attack China in their own waters would be a fool's errand. There is no landbridge like there is to Ukraine and China has a massive home advantage.
Perhaps this is why the Philippines is being boosted so much lately. The US may try to draw in as many countries as possible on its side in any conflict, no matter how insignificant.
When the military balance becomes so lopsided, China could stare down the US on the Taiwan issue and they would just make meek noises.