U.S. Signals Support for Taiwan with High-Level Alaska Meeting
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – September 6, 2025 – In a largely unpublicized meeting held in Anchorage, Alaska, senior U.S. officials reassured Taiwanese representatives of continued American support amidst escalating tensions with China, according to sources familiar with the discussions.The meeting, confirmed by both the U.S. State Department and Taiwan’s ministry of Foreign Affairs, involved Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim.
The closed-door talks underscore Washington’s commitment to Taipei following a year of heightened military activity from Beijing and increasingly assertive rhetoric toward the self-governed island. With President Lai Ching-te’s first year in office marked by a surge in Chinese pressure tactics – including large-scale military drills simulating an invasion - the U.S. is seeking to demonstrate stability and resolve in the region. the meeting’s location, outside of traditional diplomatic channels, is intended to minimize public escalation while conveying a strong message to both Beijing and Taipei.The discussions centered on bolstering Taiwan’s defensive capabilities,maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,and coordinating responses to potential Chinese aggression. While details remain scarce, officials indicated a focus on expediting arms sales and enhancing security cooperation. Hsiao Bi-khim emphasized Taiwan’s determination to defend its democracy and maintain the status quo, while Campbell reiterated the U.S.’s longstanding “One China” policy, but affirmed its commitment to assisting Taiwan in maintaining a credible self-defense capability.
this meeting follows a pattern of discreet U.S. engagement with Taiwan,designed to balance support for the island with the need to manage relations with China. The choice of Alaska as a venue reflects a desire to avoid direct confrontation and provide a neutral ground for sensitive discussions. Analysts suggest the U.S. is attempting to calibrate its approach, signaling resolve to Beijing while reassuring Taipei that it will not be abandoned. The outcome of these talks will likely shape the trajectory of cross-strait relations in the coming months, as China continues to assert its claims over Taiwan.
