US launches ‘strategic planning’ with Australia on responses to war over Taiwan, diplomat says

Michael Goldman, the US Embassy’s chargé d’affaires, said the strategic planning covers a range of contingencies, including Taiwan

China has stepped up military exercises around the self-ruled island over the past few years as the US bolsters diplomatic ties with Taipei

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A Taiwanese navy frigate manoeuvres during an anti-landing combat operation drill in Taichung. File photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:43am, 1 Apr 2021Updated: 11:46am, 1 Apr 2021

The US is undertaking “strategic planning” with its Australian ally to consider potential joint responses to a war over Taiwan, according to President Joe Biden’s top diplomat in Canberra.

“We’re committed as allies to working together – not only in making our militaries interoperable and functioning well together, but also in strategic planning,” Michael Goldman, the US Embassy’s chargé d’affaires, said in an Australian National University podcast released on Thursday, when asked about a potential role for Australia in a Taiwan contingency.

“And when you look at strategic planning, it covers the range of contingencies that you’ve mentioned, of which Taiwan is obviously an important component,” Goldman added.

While Australia regularly hails its history of being involved in every major American conflict over the past century, it’s yet to officially commit to taking part in a potential conflict over Taiwan.

The US also makes no ironclad guarantees it will come to Taiwan’s defence if China makes good on threats to invade, only agreeing to help the separately ruled economy maintain its capacity for self-defence.

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