US should recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty ‘today’: former US state secretary Pompeo

US should recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty ‘today’: former US state secretary Pompeo

2024-05-22

In an exclusive interview with FTV, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Washington to recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty "today." Speaking to FTV Vice President Anne Hu, Pompeo said the Biden administration should take a stronger position on Taiwan’s U.N. participation. He also emphasized that when it comes to Taiwan’s security, the critical task at hand was to create a credible deterrence against a Chinese attack.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
Recently, the U.S. has shown strong support for Taiwan regarding U.N. Resolution 2758. It says that the resolution does not exclude Taiwan from participating in the U.N. system. What are your thoughts on that?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Yes, Taiwan ought to be a member of the U.N. It’s that straightforward. And so I hope the Biden administration will take an even stronger position, not only saying that it is possible, but saying that it is necessary. It would be the right thing for the world, and it would be the right thing for the people of Taiwan.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
So you do agree that the U.S. government should recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Yes, absolutely. Because I live it, when I come visit Taiwan. I experience it. It has its own rules, it has its own property rights, it has its own international trade agreements, it is behaving and acting as a sovereign nation so it ought to be treated as such.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
When will be the appropriate time to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
I think it’s today. Yeah. I think it was actually yesterday, I think it was some time ago. I think the reality of Taiwan as a free and independent sovereign nation ought to be acknowledged, not only by the United States but by the whole world.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
In your assessment, what is the worst thing that could happen to Taiwan’s security?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Oh my goodness, it would be that the Taiwanese people refuse to stand up and defend themselves, followed by the world not understanding how important it is that we get this right. It’s not about, “What would you do if China invades?” It is so much more than that. It is, “How is it you prevent the Chinese Communist Party from even contemplating destroying this place, taking away the sovereignty and decency of the Taiwanese people?” That’s the hard work. The hard work happens today. It doesn’t happen the day that the Chinese Communist Party launches a flotilla across the strait. It happens today. And convincing Xi Jinping that the cost of bringing Taiwan under his control exceeds the benefits. And when he does that, then Taiwan will get its rightful place in the world.

Anne Hu
FTV vice president
If China attacks Taiwan, to what extent can the U.S. help Taiwan?

Mike Pompeo
Former US secretary of state
Again, you speak about this as if it’s inevitable. Our task is to make sure that that day never happens, that no one ever has to contemplate what do you do in that moment. That’s the hard work. That’s the place that we should plant our collective flags. In the event that Xi Jinping begins a physical attack on this place, I am very confident that the United States will respond. But it is difficult, it is a hard problem set.

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