On Fox News Channel’s “Story” on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said President Joe Biden’s announcement that the United States would send troops to defend Taiwan was a response to the assumption that U.S. policy had not changed, But the administration supports Biden’s answer to the hypothesis.
Price Description [relevant remarks begin around 6:00] “He’s said in every instance where he’s been asked this question before, our policy hasn’t changed,” Biden said.
Host Martha McCallum then chimed in: “But he’s said four times now that if they invade, we’re going to go there with the US military to support them. He’s said it four times. So, you’re in Tell me, isn’t this a change?”
Price responded: “Each of these four times, in response to your question, the president also added in his response that our policy has not changed. We see the utility of continuing the status quo on both sides of the strait. We do not want It’s in our interest and, frankly, the international community for the past 40 years to see unilateral action by either side to undermine the status quo. That’s in our interest, to maintain and maintain the status quo.”
McCallum then asked: “Do you support his answer to the hypothesis?”
Price replied, “Of course. The president’s answer was very clear, our policy has not changed. He is the president of the United States, and if the president of the United States wants to change the policy of the United States, he will not hesitate to do so.”
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