Congressman: "America is prepared for war with China."

The US Congress would authorize a direct military confrontation with China if Beijing launched an attack against Taiwan, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul told Fox News on Friday evening. The Texas Republican representative was talking from Taipei during a three-day bipartisan delegation visit to the self-governing island. McCaul insisted that a “conflict is always a last resort” and described the US delegation’s visit as a way to “provide deterrence to China.” He also maintained that discussions about a potential use of force by America in the Indo-Pacific region serve as a “deterrent for peace” since “you don’t have NATO in the Pacific.” Beijing has repeatedly opposed Taiwan’s contacts with the US. The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that the Taiwan issue is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. Washington formally adheres to the One China policy, which recognizes Taiwan as an integral part of China.

In recent months, the US has ramped up military support for Taiwan, increasing its troop presence from 30 to 100 and 200 soldiers. In early March, the US State Department also approved arms sales to Taipei, including $619 million worth of munitions for F-16 fighter jets. On Saturday, the Chinese military announced the launch of three days of exercises in the Taiwan Strait, designed as a warning to Taiwan and “external forces”.