A bombshell reaction from Washington: Congressman Ro Khanna has torn into President Trump’s suggestion of chatting with Xi Jinping about arms to Taiwan, deeming it a reckless departure from U.S. norms. As the top Democrat on the House panel tracking U.S.-China clashes, Khanna warned that this approach threatens national security and erodes trust with allies.
Trump’s off-the-cuff remark on potential negotiations over Taiwan weaponry prompted Khanna’s fiery response. He highlighted the Six Assurances, Reagan-era guarantees that explicitly reject Beijing’s input on U.S. arms transfers to Taiwan. ‘This is a blatant violation,’ Khanna asserted, demanding the president clarify and recommit without delay.
Context matters here—the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 ensures defensive arms flow to Taiwan, compensating for severed formal ties. Khanna’s stature amplifies his message, positioning it as a clarion call amid fraught geopolitics.
Breaking down the Six Assurances: They outline non-negotiable stances, from no mediation efforts to sustaining capacity for self-defense. Trump’s words risk portraying America as pliable, a perception that could provoke China while alarming Taiwan.
Khanna’s appeal to the White House underscores broader anxieties. With CCP aggression mounting, consistency in policy is vital for deterrence. Fellow legislators echo his sentiments, advocating stronger backing for Taiwan’s democracy.
This flare-up reveals fault lines in U.S. strategy. As strategic competition boils, Khanna’s outspokenness pushes for resolve. The administration’s next moves will signal whether America stands firm or flinches in the face of pressure.