ABSTRACT
American foreign policy in East Asia has primarily consisted of maintaining regional stability. Professor Clough offers us a view of how Taiwan and its quest for a larger role in the international arena fit into this foreign policy framework.
American policy toward Taiwan has been marked by continuity. While maintaining a one-China policy that recognizes China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, the United States will oppose any hostile action taken against Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979 has also established a framework for continuing economic, cultural, and other relations, albeit unofficially. Not only has this interaction led to friendly and prosperous relations, but it has also, as with many other countries, resulted in the gradual upgrading of bilateral unofficial diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Professor Clough points out that although the United States actively supports Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and processes such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Bank, and other multilateral institutions, this support has a limit. A “full frontal assault” on the United Nations, is impractical because of the inevitable People’s Republic of China (PRC) veto, he argues. Although US-PRC relations are often strained, bilateral relations with the PRC remain central to American foreign policy. U.S. policy continues to be based on the guiding principle that peace and stability in the region, and thus American interests, are best served when good relations between Washington and Beijing prevail. Professor Clough concludes that it would be unwise to force the United States to choose between Taipei and Beijing. Instead, he suggests that Taiwan continue its policy of improving its international status and pursue increased interaction with mainland China.
