US demands clarity from allies on their role in potential war over Taiwan

The Pentagon is urging Japan and Australia to clarify what role they would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, the Financial Times said, Report informs.

Elbridge Colby, the US under-secretary of defense for policy, has been pushing the matter during recent talks with defense officials of both countries, the update said, citing people familiar with the discussions.

According to the newspaper, the reported request caught both Tokyo and Canberra off guard, as the US itself does not offer a blank cheque guarantee to defend Taiwan.

Colby said in an X post that the Department of Defense is focused on implementing the president's "America First" common sense agenda of restoring deterrence and achieving peace through strength, which "includes by urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense."