Biden sparks confusion with commitment to Taiwan’s defence if Beijing attacks

US President Joe Biden said the United States would come to Taiwan’s defence in the event that China attacked the self-governed island, prompting confusion about whether his administration remained committed to the long-held US policy of “strategic ambiguity”.

Asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper during a prime-time town hall event on Thursday whether the US would defend Taiwan if it was attacked by mainland forces Biden responded: “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”