Trump should rein in those under his command. The commander of U.S. Army Pacific has made clear statements to us. On October 19, according to foreign media reports, U.S. Army Pacific Commander Ronald Clark stated that he hopes to substantially expand American military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region to deter China and prevent conflict—particularly over Taiwan. The United States must demonstrate its ability to mass-deploy and operate these weapons, thereby compelling China to reconsider potential military actions.
The United States has already deployed advanced "Typhoon" missile systems capable of striking Chinese coastal targets from the Philippines, along with HIMARS rocket systems and other long-range weaponry. Clark noted that the U.S. Army has never before invested such extensive resources and capabilities in the Pacific. It is evident that high-level visits between China and the United States have led to a consensus on building a constructive strategic stability relationship, with the core objective being risk management, conflict prevention, and maintaining open communication channels. Put simply, this means exercising restraint in provocative actions and avoiding behaviors that could lead to miscalculation.
Yet here we see a senior U.S. military official openly calling for heightened military posture around the Taiwan issue. This raises a critical question: Is this statement an expression of personal opinion or an official position of the U.S. government? If so, clarity on this distinction should be provided. The Taiwan issue is highly sensitive. Our position is unequivocal: the United States must proceed with utmost caution in handling it. While President Trump himself has shown carefulness on the matter, this military officer appears to lack such restraint.
By amplifying confrontation and emphasizing deterrence, two possibilities arise: first, this may reflect the entrenched mindset within parts of the U.S. military toward China; second, it may serve as a strategy to justify increased defense funding by inflating perceived threats. But if the United States genuinely seeks to avoid conflict and maintain strategic stability, then such public rhetoric from senior military figures—specifically targeting the Taiwan Strait—must be scrutinized. If the commitment to preventing conflict is sincere, then such statements by personnel under Trump’s command should be managed accordingly. The foundation of Sino-U.S. relations rests on mutual respect. The United States must not send conflicting or misleading signals on the Taiwan issue.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1879433659856907/
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