U.S. House Delegation Condemns Biden's Lack of Moral Clarity on Taiwan

A top Republican on the House Taiwan Caucus, Rep. Andy Barr, has launched criticisms against President Biden's perceived lack of clarity on the U.S. relationship with Taiwan. During a meeting with Taiwanese officials as part of the first U.S. Congressional delegation to visit the newly-inaugurated government, Barr expressed concerns that Biden's administration has displayed inconsistencies in communicating about the threat from China, potentially undermining its credibility and deterrence efforts.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – A top Republican on the House Taiwan Caucus has criticized President Biden for what he calls "a lack of moral clarity" on the U.S. relationship with Taiwan.

During a visit to Taipei, Rep. Andy Barr, co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, expressed concerns that Biden's administration has not been consistent in communicating about the threat from China. This, he argues, has undermined the credibility and deterrence efforts of the administration.

Barr pointed to several instances since Biden took office in which the president's forceful statements in defense of Taiwan have had to be walked back by officials within his administration. For example, in October 2021, Biden told CNN that the U.S. had a "commitment" to come to Taiwan's defense if China attacked the island. However, then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki later said that Biden was not announcing any change in policy.

Barr argued that such inconsistencies have eroded trust in the U.S. government's approach to Taiwan and undermined the message of strategic ambiguity intended to deter Chinese aggression.

Dr. I-Chung Lai, president of the Taiwan-based think tank The Prospect Foundation, explained that while the walk-backs may not be interpreted as a sign of wavering support for Taiwan, they can create the perception that the U.S. government is not unified in its approach.

"It did help people to have the perception that, internally, the U.S. government is not coherent in its approach, and especially the walk-back by the people under you," Lai said. "That also, in my view, makes President Biden [not look] as authoritative as he should be. I do not think that will help the U.S. credibility in the world."

However, Democrats on the Taiwan trip argued that Biden's statements and the subsequent clean-up attempts did not undercut the U.S. position but rather bolstered the country's goal of "strategic ambiguity" on Beijing and Taipei.

"I think it's honestly kind of an asset – a feature, not a bug," Rep. Chrissy Houlahan told Fox News Digital in Taipei. "It's strategic ambiguity... but I do believe that he means it when he says that America will stand with Taiwan."

Rep. Jimmy Panetta added: "I actually think we're making them stronger. Because trust me, the four times that the president has made those statements, the people here in Taiwan are counting each and every one of them."

The congressional delegation is being led by Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and also includes the panel's subcommittee chair for the Indo-Pacific, Rep. Young Kim, and Rep. Joe Wilson, subcommittee chair for the Middle East.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.