U.S. and Chinese Warships in Tense Taiwan Strait Standoff
Executive Summary
The U.S. Navy conducted its first Taiwan Strait transit under the Trump administration, sending two naval vessels—guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and survey ship USNS Bowditch—through the strategically sensitive waters. In response, China’s military scrambled naval and air forces to shadow the American ships, condemning the operation as a provocation that heightened security risks. The transit signals a continuation of U.S. efforts to assert freedom of navigation in international waters, despite Beijing’s claims over Taiwan and its surrounding areas.
Analysis
The Taiwan Strait remains one of the most volatile flashpoints between the United States and China, with both nations viewing military maneuvers in the region as key signals of strategic intent. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command emphasized that the passage was conducted in accordance with international law, asserting that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway where freedom of navigation applies. China, however, sees such transits as a direct challenge to its sovereignty claims over Taiwan and routinely scrambles naval and air assets in response.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Air Force monitored the USS Ralph Johnson and USNS Bowditch throughout their transit from February 10 to 12. China’s Eastern Theater Command stated that its forces “remained on high alert” and warned that the U.S. “sent the wrong signals and increased security risks.” The deployment of surveillance and escort forces highlights Beijing’s strategy of maintaining a constant military presence around Taiwan, applying pressure through near-daily incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
This latest transit marks a significant moment in U.S.-China relations under the new Trump administration. While previous administrations regularly conducted freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) through the strait—eight in 2024 alone—this was the first under Trump’s second term, occurring just weeks into his presidency. The timing suggests that Washington intends to maintain, if not escalate, its military posture in the Indo-Pacific.
China’s reaction reflects its broader regional strategy of deterring U.S. influence and reinforcing its territorial claims. In addition to military shadowing operations, Beijing has ramped up joint naval exercises, including recent drills with Pakistan, and continues to develop advanced missile capabilities aimed at countering U.S. naval superiority in the region.
The U.S. and its allies, including Japan and Australia, have signaled continued commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. A recent trilateral naval exercise between the U.S., Australian, and British navies in the South China Sea underscores the growing alignment of Western allies in countering Chinese maritime assertiveness.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry downplayed the event, noting that the situation remained “normal” despite detecting seven PLAN ships and 30 Chinese aircraft, with 23 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. This response reflects Taipei’s delicate balancing act—welcoming U.S. military support while avoiding actions that could further escalate tensions with Beijing.
The Biden administration previously strengthened Taiwan’s defense capabilities through arms sales and increased military cooperation, but the Trump administration’s approach remains unclear beyond its commitment to FONOPs. Whether the U.S. will further increase military support for Taiwan, such as stationing additional forces in the region or expanding arms sales, remains to be seen.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Navy is expected to continue Taiwan Strait transits, as well as joint exercises with allies in the Indo-Pacific. China, in turn, will likely sustain its military pressure on Taiwan, using every U.S. transit as an opportunity to reinforce its territorial claims. The risk of unintended escalation remains high, as even minor incidents between U.S. and Chinese forces could rapidly spiral into a broader crisis.
