Under the confrontation with China, can Taiwan strike first but still obtain the military support from U.S. (base on whatever agreement between them)?

Question

I wonder based on the current agreements between United States and Taiwan, if Taiwan has the right to strike (fire) against PLA of China first when they feel they will be invaded by China but still able to obtain the military aid from United States?

I am thinking if Taiwan had to wait for China's first strike and then fight back, it would put them in a very disadvantaged situation (by then hundreds of PLA missles might have already landed on their military facilities. Hypersonic missles might arrive in just a couple of minites from mainland China to Taiwan). So is it written somewhere or has any U.S. officals mentioned that they allow or do not allow Taiwanese army to strike first in order to obtain U.S.'s military aid?

Answer 1

The USA does not currently guarantee that it will intervene militarily, even if the PRC stages an open "D-Day" style invasion. The only promise that the US has given is to "make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capabilities".

The USA might support Taiwan in various ways...or it might not. The USA only states that attempts to change the status of Taiwan by non-peaceful means are "grave concern".

Not making any promises is at the heart of "strategic ambiguity". So Taiwan would not be guaranteed US military support if they strike first. But they also would not be guaranteed US military support if they strike second. The US makes no guarantees to Taiwan.