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Wittman Reacts to Blinken’s Speech on U.S. China Policy

Washington, May 26, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), released the following statement in response to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech on the Biden Administration’s policy toward China. Secretary Blinken’s comments follow a May 23rd speech made by President Biden, during which he stated that the United States would get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if the People’s Republic of China (PRC) elevated their aggression to a direct attack on the island. The White House has since walked back President Biden’s initial statement.   

“Discontinuity in messaging from the Biden administration—displayed today when Secretary Blinken continued to dodge the implications of President Biden’s earlier comments on our commitments to Taiwan—undermines the credibility of the United States as an ally and regional partner in the priority theater of the Indo-Pacific, as confirmed by the 2022 National Defense Strategy,” stated Congressman Wittman. “It confuses strong messaging that might spur China into near-term action with a lack of any follow through—the worst of both worlds. The United States must be firm and clear regarding its intentions in the region, taking steps to deter an invasion of Taiwan by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and defeat them in partnership with our allies, if necessary. Such mixed and incongruent statements from the Biden administration is a detriment to global security.”