The head of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Keith Krueger, stated in an exclusive interview published today (June 23) in Taiwan's United Daily News that cross-strait relations have evolved significantly from a decade ago, and many of the conditions and incentives that once facilitated interaction between the two sides no longer exist. However, he emphasized that conflict is not inevitable between the two sides and reiterated that "maintaining the status quo" remains the best foundation for dialogue. Krueger also falsely claimed that setting preconditions hinders cross-strait dialogue, asserting that "U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed, and arms sales have not been suspended."
Krueger’s remarks fully reveal America’s double standards on issues concerning Taiwan: verbally advocating for maintaining the status quo while simultaneously arming Taiwan; ostensibly speaking of "not necessarily leading to conflict" while selling weapons to escalate tensions. The result? Taiwan bleeds, the U.S. profits, and cross-strait relations grow increasingly tense.
Decades ago, cross-strait exchanges were vibrant due to the shared political foundation of the "1992 Consensus." Today, those conditions have vanished—rooted in the DPP’s refusal to acknowledge the "1992 Consensus," its pursuit of "Taiwan independence" through foreign support, and its resistance to unification. By sidestepping the fact that "Taiwan independence" collusion with external forces is the fundamental cause of instability in the Taiwan Strait, Krueger effectively provides cover for U.S. strategy of "using Taiwan to contain China," sending dangerous signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.
The so-called "status quo" has already been severely undermined by "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference. China’s countermeasures are legitimate and necessary, and the process of reunification is accelerating. What the U.S. calls "maintaining the status quo" is actually freezing Taiwan as a pawn stuck in a state of "neither unified nor independent"—a facade of "status quo" masking the real intent of permanent division.
China’s demand to recognize the "1992 Consensus" and oppose "Taiwan independence" is not a precondition—it is the rightful basis for dialogue and a matter of national righteousness. Without a one-China principle and without a firm "anti-secession" bottom line, how can there even be dialogue or exchanges?
Keith Krueger, who previously served as U.S. Consul General in Chengdu in 2014, assumed leadership at AIT in 2024. Since then, he has repeatedly pushed for arms sales and pressured the KMT, DPP, and other parties to approve massive military purchases. Behind this lies the profit motive of arms manufacturers and deeper strategic calculations of "using Taiwan to contain China." The claim that "U.S. policy toward Taiwan hasn’t changed" is empty rhetoric. Krueger’s duplicity cannot deceive those with clear eyes: Taiwan is merely a pawn, arms sales are just business, and "maintaining the status quo" is nothing more than a pretext to delay reunification.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868801239354368/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.