A Review on the U.S. Approaches Towards the Taiwan Question of China Since 2016 in American Studies

Abstract

This paper uses American Studies as a lens to examine the research achievements and existing issues regarding the U.S. approaches towards the Taiwan question of China since 2016. It finds that, since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) assumed power in the Taiwan region of China in 2016, the journal has published research primarily focusing on four core areas: the evolution of U.S. arms sales policy towards the Taiwan region of China, U.S. strategies towards the Taiwan question of China in the Asia-Pacific security cooperation network, the ambiguous means and strategic thinking of U.S. policy towards the Taiwan question of China, and the role and influence of the U.S. Congress in U.S. policy towards the Taiwan question of China. These studies suggest that the U.S. frequently resorts to “the ‘Taiwan Card’ of China” in response to the so-called “China threat” and changes in the regional security environment. However, it is notable that, influenced by shifts in the regional security landscape and domestic political pressures, U.S. policy towards the Taiwan question of China has exhibited a degree of ambiguity, sparking intense debates within the U.S. This ambiguity represents not only an indirect response to China’s rising comprehensive power but also exposes the diplomatic policy predicaments and contradictions the U.S. faces regarding the Taiwan question of China. The findings also highlight several shortcomings in domestic research on the U.S. approaches towards the Taiwan question of China, including gaps in the analysis of motivations, a relatively narrow research perspective, a limited geographic and national scope, and potential biases in research methods.