U.S. Urges China to Halt Military Pressure After War Games Around Taiwan Escalate Tensions

The United States has sharply criticised China’s latest military exercises around Taiwan, saying the large-scale drills have “unnecessarily” heightened tensions in an already volatile region and urging Beijing to end its campaign of military pressure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said China’s actions risk destabilising the Taiwan Strait and called on Beijing to pursue dialogue instead of coercion.

“China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily,” Pigott said. “We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.”

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China Simulates Blockade of Taiwan

Beijing conducted the exercises on Monday and Tuesday, launching missiles and deploying dozens of fighter jets, naval vessels and coastguard ships around Taiwan. According to Chinese authorities, the drills were designed to simulate a blockade of major Taiwanese ports, effectively encircling the island.

Taiwan’s government condemned the maneuvers as “highly provocative,” warning that such actions threaten regional peace and security. Taiwan’s defence officials said they closely monitored the exercises and responded with appropriate readiness measures.

China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has repeatedly stated it reserves the right to use force to bring the self-governed island under its control.

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U.S. Position: Stability and Status Quo

Reiterating Washington’s long-standing policy, Pigott said the United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, particularly through force or intimidation.

The U.S. has for decades been committed to helping Taiwan maintain its ability to defend itself, while deliberately keeping its own military response to a potential invasion ambiguous—a policy aimed at deterring aggression without encouraging formal independence.

The latest drills come shortly after the Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, a move that drew strong objections from Beijing.

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Trump Plays Down Invasion Fears

Despite the State Department’s critical tone, President Donald Trump appeared to downplay the risk of a Chinese invasion when speaking to reporters earlier in the week.

Trump said he was not particularly concerned by the live-fire exercises and suggested they did not signal imminent action. He emphasised his personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying Xi had given no indication of plans to invade Taiwan.

“They’ve been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area,” Trump said, adding that current drills were being viewed “a little bit differently” by the public.

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Rising Frequency of Military Shows of Force

China’s latest war games mark the sixth major round of large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwan since 2022, when a visit to Taipei by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi triggered an angry response from Beijing.

Since then, military activity in the Taiwan Strait has become more frequent and more complex, raising concerns among regional governments and security analysts about the risk of miscalculation.

As tensions continue to simmer, Washington’s call for restraint highlights the delicate balance between deterrence and diplomacy in one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints.