Taiwan is not just a regional issue; it’s everyone’s business, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised in a recent address, highlighting the global implications of a potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait. In a conversation with the Council on Foreign Relations, Blinken underscored that Taiwan’s strategic importance—hosting 70% of the world’s semiconductor production and serving as a critical shipping route for nearly half of global trade—makes any threat to its stability a matter of worldwide concern, as reported by CNA.

Blinken also framed the Biden administration’s efforts to bolster Taiwan’s deterrence as one of the key achievements of US foreign policy. He pointed to the strengthening of alliances with key partners across Europe and Asia as pivotal to raising awareness about the Taiwan issue. By aligning the US’s diplomatic efforts with global partners, the administration has made it clear that Taiwan’s security is not just a bilateral concern between Washington and Taipei but an issue that affects the global order.

The secretary of state noted that China’s stance, which seeks to prevent international discussions on Taiwan, has become increasingly isolated. Beijing’s insistence that Taiwan is purely a domestic issue is increasingly contradicted by the global response, as nations around the world warn against any actions that would disrupt the current status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Blinken pointed to the growing chorus of international voices calling for China to act responsibly, with heightened calls from Europe and Asia for Beijing to respect peace and stability in the region.

Blinken also linked China’s support for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine to its broader strategy of reshaping the international system in its favour. By allying with Russia, North Korea, and Iran, China risks isolating itself, placing its global ambitions in direct conflict with its aspirations to be viewed as a responsible power. In his remarks, Blinken highlighted how this alliance undermines China’s credibility, especially as it continues to supply Moscow with arms, even as it professes a desire for peace in Ukraine.

As the world watches, the US continues to shine a spotlight on China’s actions, particularly in Europe, where countries have started taking concrete steps, including sanctions, against Chinese entities complicit in the ongoing conflict.