Amid escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, a recent Reagan Institute poll reveals that a majority of Americans support bolstering the U.S. military presence around the island nation. The survey indicates 56% of Americans endorse increasing military presence as a deterrent against a potential Chinese invasion, while 30% oppose the move.
Tensions have been steadily rising in the Taiwan Strait, with China conducting numerous military exercises in response to interactions between Taiwanese and U.S. officials. This month, Taiwan's air force scrambled jets as ten Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, marking the second such incident in under a week.
The poll also found that 52% of Americans advocate for increased U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as a further deterrent against Chinese aggression, with 31% opposing this measure. Concerns about a potential invasion have intensified following Russia's actions in Ukraine. China's claim over Taiwan and its resistance to the island's independence fuel these concerns, with the implication of potential military intervention.
Public opinion also favors U.S. lawmakers engaging with Taiwanese leaders. 61% believe such meetings demonstrate vital support for a democracy under threat, while 21% see them as potentially provocative towards China. Broadly, the poll reflects strong support for robust American leadership on the global stage and a more powerful military.
Roger Zakheim, director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, highlighted the consistent American principles of maintaining a strong military, supporting Ukraine, and deterring China. He emphasized that the survey results demonstrate the American public's desire for the United States to lead globally, adhering to the Reagan-era principle of "peace through strength."
