In an exclusive interview with “Stern”, Graham Allison, one of the leading political scientists in the USA, warns of an imminent war between the superpowers China and the USA over Taiwan.

Will there soon be a war between the USA and China? Taiwan, the island republic off the Chinese coast is an important location for microchip production for western markets and is striving for independence. But Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province. In mid-October, China’s head of state Xi Jinping threatened to take Taiwan back under Beijing’s control by force of arms. US President Joe Biden recently reaffirmed the US commitment to defend Taiwan in the event of war.

Against this background, Graham Allison, a professor of political science at the renowned Harvard University, warns that a declaration of independence by Taiwan is “a red line” for Xi Jinping. Allison: “I’m worried that American policy could go in the direction of recognition, i.e. across the Chinese red line.” The Taiwan trip of the outgoing Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in early August was “stupid”. With a view to the US presidential election in 2024, Allison fears that other US politicians could behave even more “stupidly” towards China. Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State under Donald Trump, who is said to have ambitions for the presidency, has already demanded that the US recognize Taiwan’s independence. “It’s the quickest route to war with China,” Allison told Stern