US Pressures Allies on Taiwan Conflict Role, Raising Concerns

The Pentagon is reportedly urging Japan and Australia to clarify their potential roles in a hypothetical conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan. This request has reportedly caused frustration among the two American allies. A Chinese expert has characterized the US demand as a form of coercion.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Elbridge Colby, a Defense Department official, has been raising this issue in meetings with Japanese and Australian defense officials. The reported request surprised both Tokyo and Canberra, especially since the US itself does not offer a guarantee of support to Taiwan. Japan's defense ministry has reportedly stated that it is difficult to answer such a hypothetical question.

Australia has indicated it will not pre-commit troops to any potential conflict. The Australian Minister for Defense Industry emphasized the country's sovereignty and stated that they do not engage in discussions about hypothetical scenarios. A Chinese research fellow views the US demand as an attempt to force the two countries to provoke China, potentially damaging relations between China and both Japan and Australia.

The Chinese expert believes the US is increasingly relying on economic and trade leverage, along with the Taiwan issue, to constrain China. The demands on its allies are seen as a reflection of internal anxieties about these relationships. The forced nature of these alliances is expected to create problems, suggesting a growing fragility in these partnerships.

Despite some competitive areas, economic cooperation between China and Japan is increasing. For example, a Japanese automaker has recently signed an agreement to establish an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai, demonstrating Japan's adoption of China's technological approach and commitment to the Chinese market.

China's Foreign Ministry has consistently maintained that the Taiwan question is an internal affair and that no other country has the right to interfere. Colby is known for advocating that the US military prioritize competition with China. A professor at China Foreign Affairs University suggests that it remains unclear whether this represents Colby's personal view or the official position of the current US administration. The professor also argues that Colby's approach could lead Japan and Australia to question the reliability of their alliance with the US.