Some politicians and pundits have already begun to question America’s long-standing policy of support for Taiwan. While still in the minority, these views appear to be gaining traction and reinforce the need to explain why Taiwan matters to everyday Americans and why preventing America’s top geopolitical rival, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), from gaining control of Taiwan is a vital U.S. national interest.

It is also important that policymakers know how best to act to protect this interest. Action is urgently needed to strengthen America’s deterrence posture in the Western Pacific; arm Taiwan to defend itself; and expand certain forms of economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation with Taipei in ways that are consistent with Washington’s long-standing Taiwan policy as outlined in such documents as the Taiwan Relations Act, the “Six Assurances,” and the three U.S.–China joint communiques.

At the same time, some proposals that are being touted, including diplomatic recognition of Taiwan or a formal defense treaty, are not supported by Taiwan’s government and could trigger an armed response from Beijing, precipitating the very crisis that policymakers hope to avoid.