You can’t take Joe off the teleprompter.
During his gaffe-ridden 60 Minutes interview, President Biden said U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if China were to attack the island —a comment the White House had to go back and clean up.
“On the same day we spoke to the president, Putin met with China’s leader, Xi Jinping,” interviewer Scott Pelley said while narrating. “There’s concern that Russia’s attempt to force reunification with Ukraine could inspire China to attack the island of Taiwan. U.S. policy since 1979 has been to recognize Taiwan as part of China, but remain silent on whether the U.S. military would defend the democratic government there. This is among the places where our interview runs into controversy.”
“What should Chinese President Xi know about your commitment to Taiwan?” Pelley asked Biden.
“We agree with what we signed onto a long time ago. And that there’s one China policy, and Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence,” Biden responded. “We are not moving — we’re not encouraging their being independent. We’re not — that — that’s their decision.”
“But would U.S. Forces defend the island?” Pelley asked.
“Yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack,” Biden responded.
Pelley then adds a bit of narration explaining that a member of the administration reached out to clarify that the U.S. policy has not changed and would not comment on whether American forces would defend Taiwan.
Watch the clip below:
REPORTER: "But would U.S. forces defend [Taiwan]?"
BIDEN: "Yes!"
REPORTER: "After our interview, a White House official told U.S. policy has not changed. Officially, the U.S. will not say whether American forces would defend Taiwan." pic.twitter.com/XeYQEta2rT
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 19, 2022
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