Opinion | On Taiwan, Europe is right to keep its one-China policy – even if the US ditches it

French President Emmanuel Macron touched a raw nerve in the United States and among many Europeans by insisting that the European Union should not get involved in any US-China escalation over Taiwan.

Macron’s remarks have been met by outrage and accusations of betraying transatlantic solidarity.

The reaction is not surprising – but it is wrong. If Europe really wants peace in the Asia-Pacific, it should follow Macron’s advice and start thinking for itself on how to handle cross-strait relations, not act as a “vassal” of the US.

That means sticking by the one-China policy in deeds, not just words. It also means working to reduce Beijing-Taiwan tensions, not adding to them.

The US policy on Taiwan goes back to 1979 when, seven years after president Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking trip to Beijing, Jimmy Carter’s administration established diplomatic relations with China, thereby “de-recognising” Taiwan as an independent nation.