Marco Rubio on Thursday warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” if China attempted to take Taiwan by force, while reaffirming that the United States’ position on the self-governed island remains unchanged amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Speaking during remarks reported by the Associated Press, Rubio stressed that the U.S. continues to oppose any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait through military action or coercion. His comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical strain involving Taiwan, trade disputes and growing military competition between the world’s two largest economies.

“It would be a terrible mistake if China tried to take Taiwan by force,” Rubio said, while reiterating Washington’s long-standing policy commitments regarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive and contentious issues in China-U.S. relations. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that reunification remains a national objective, refusing to rule out the use of force. The United States, while officially recognising Beijing under the “One China” policy, maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and remains its most important security partner.

Rubio’s remarks come shortly after high-level talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Taiwan reportedly emerged as one of the most sensitive issues on the agenda alongside trade, artificial intelligence and regional security. Chinese officials had earlier warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to “conflict and confrontation” between the two powers.

In recent years, tensions around Taiwan have intensified due to increased Chinese military drills near the island, U.S. arms sales to Taipei and growing strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region. Washington has repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and regional stability, while Beijing accuses the U.S. of interfering in its internal affairs.

Analysts say Rubio’s latest statement reflects continued U.S. efforts to deter military escalation in the Taiwan Strait while reassuring regional allies concerned about China’s expanding military presence.

The Taiwan issue remains one of the biggest potential flashpoints in global geopolitics, with security experts warning that any conflict in the region could have massive economic and military consequences worldwide.

ChinaTaiwan | Business Upturn

It would be terrible mistake if China tried to take Taiwan by force : Rubio sends strong warning to China over Taiwan