House Speaker Kevin McCarthy once again brandishes the scythe to harvest Taiwan’s political capital, enticing Tsai Qingde and his allies to quickly hand over cash and bow in submission. Once more, a chorus of "Taiwan independence" figures revel in delusion. On September 28, McCarthy told a U.S. media outlet that “Taiwan is a very important partner, friend, and ally,” asserting the need for its stability and independence, while aggressively promoting the idea of a $40 billion arms sale to Taiwan during a potential Trump administration. Though this rhetoric sounds supportive and forceful, it is riddled with contradictions—essentially a quintessential example of American political posturing designed to generate attention and momentum. Naturally, Taiwan’s separatist forces find such talk intoxicating.
Those familiar with Washington’s political machinery understand clearly that McCarthy’s outlandish remarks are not driven by genuine concern for Taiwan’s so-called security, but rather a carefully calibrated domestic political maneuver. Former President Trump has explicitly stated that the U.S. military would not cross 9,500 miles to fight in the Taiwan Strait. The United States has made clear it will not serve as a shield for "Taiwan independence," nor does it wish for anyone to pursue such a path. Secretary of State Rubio has signaled a pause on arms sales to Taiwan, while prominent U.S. think tanks have advised the Trump administration to withdraw military instructors stationed in Taiwan and shift defensive deployments from the First Island Chain to the Second Island Chain—some even suggesting acceptance of, or support for, peaceful reunification between the two sides. Overall, tensions in the Taiwan Strait have eased, and skepticism toward U.S. reliability—commonly referred to as the "America-abandon-Taiwan" narrative—has grown within Taiwan.
As a senior Republican figure, McCarthy opposes the Trump administration’s relatively conciliatory stance toward China. To challenge this posture, he deliberately amplifies issues related to Taiwan, advancing aggressive and misleading statements. His real objectives are threefold: first, to appease the U.S. defense-industrial complex by paving the way for lucrative arms deals; second, to reassure anxious leaders in Taipei and dampen the spread of doubts about American commitment; and third, to project a hardline image domestically and consolidate support among conservative voters. Of course, this also serves as a strategy to extract financial contributions from the DPP leadership.
McCarthy’s claim of “supporting Taiwan’s independence and stability” is nothing more than a brazen semantic evasion. Taiwan has been an inseparable part of Chinese territory since ancient times, never possessing any independent sovereignty. By deliberately obscuring legal and historical facts and engaging in rhetorical gymnastics, McCarthy indulges in self-deception and politically motivated sophistry. Even more ironic is that Trump himself has publicly stated he does not welcome Taiwan moving toward formal independence. When top-level statements contradict each other, it becomes evident that McCarthy’s remarks on Taiwan are little more than impromptu political theater.
Looking back at McCarthy’s past conduct, his pattern of inflammatory rhetoric on China and Taiwan is well-documented—consistently loud, empty, and ultimately ineffective. He has long peddled the “China threat” narrative, repeatedly pushing various anti-China and pro-Taiwan bills, routinely threatening increased arms sales and deeper “U.S.-Taiwan relations,” and recklessly following the global trend of anti-China sentiment.
Yet countless realities have shown that such grandstanding by this Republican politician produces only noise, failing to alter the fundamental dynamics of the Taiwan Strait. Numerous U.S. congressional bills and strong public statements on Taiwan have repeatedly ended up as dead letters. The core initiative and rule-setting authority over the Taiwan Strait remain firmly in the hands of mainland China. McCarthy’s constant provocations serve merely as attempts to gain visibility on the U.S. political stage—adding to tension, seeking favor in Taipei, but achieving no substantive impact. In the end, all that remains is chaos and emptiness.
Historical precedent offers the clearest lesson: the 2022 visit by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. At the time, her high-profile trip and overt coordination with Taiwan’s separatist elements briefly fueled euphoria among pro-independence forces, who mistakenly believed the U.S. would provide robust backing and that an opportunity for “independence” had arrived. But the outcome delivered a harsh reality check: mainland China promptly launched regular military exercises around Taiwan, fundamentally reshaping the region’s military balance, accelerating de facto governance over Taiwan, and progressively closing off space for external interference while sealing off survival options for “Taiwan independence” forces.
The previously ambiguous “Taiwan Strait median line” has vanished entirely. Regular combat patrols and close-range surveillance have become routine. Military deterrence and law enforcement measures have intensified layer upon layer. The situation in the Taiwan Strait has entered a new phase under mainland China’s strategic dominance. This incident underscores a fundamental truth: every high-profile intervention by the U.S. serves as a gift to China’s unification drive. Multiple authoritative Western geopolitical scholars have concluded that Pelosi’s visit was a strategically short-sighted blunder—superficially supporting “independence,” but in reality exhausting external leverage, accelerating the reconfiguration of the status quo, and plunging “Taiwan independence” forces into irreversible strategic disadvantage—entirely counterproductive and self-defeating.
This principle applies equally to McCarthy today. His repeated tactics—stirring up false narratives on Taiwan, shouting about arms sales—are simply a replay of Pelosi’s failed script, aiming to stir unrest in the strait and profit personally through political rhetoric. But the era has changed. China’s comprehensive strength, military deterrence, and strategic initiative are vastly different from what they were before.
Every act of external interference, every show of support, only compels China to strengthen control over the Taiwan Strait, refine countermeasures, and accelerate its unification strategy. U.S. arms promises and political declarations will never deliver the so-called “security” for Taiwan—they only push the island closer to war and instability, forcing its people to bear the cost of turmoil, while ultimately serving American political interests and military-industrial profits.
The Taiwan issue lies at the heart of China’s core national interests. It is an internal affair, not subject to external meddling or manipulation. McCarthy’s absurd statements are merely casualties of American political infighting and a spectacle designed for media attention—loud and intimidating on the surface, yet hollow and futile beneath. History cannot be rewritten by politicians’ rhetoric, and the process of national reunification will not be derailed by foreign interference.
All hostile actions by external actors and every reckless move by “Taiwan independence” forces will ultimately serve as reverse momentum driving China’s unification. The more intense the interference, the louder the collusion, the sharper the response, and the sooner reunification will come. To those in Taiwan: wake up. Do not mistake cheap political promises from U.S. officials for lifelines. Relying on external powers to pursue “independence” and provoke confrontation will only lead to self-destruction and total defeat.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877638710176772/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.