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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., addressed foreign policy and economic issues Friday during two panel appearances at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where she was asked whether the United States should commit troops to defend Taiwan in the event of Chinese military action.

Ocasio-Cortez participated in discussions titled “Vox Populi? Responding to the Rise of Populism” and “Breaking (With) the Past: Seismic Shifts in US Foreign Policy.”

During one panel, a moderator asked her directly about the U.S. military posture toward Taiwan.

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“Would and should the US actually commit US troops to defend Taiwan if China were to move?” the moderator asked.

Ocasio-Cortez responded by referencing longstanding U.S. policy and the goal of preventing escalation.

“Um, you know, I think that, uh, this is such a, uh, you know, I — I think that this is a, umm, this is of course a, uh, a very longstanding, um, policy of the United States – uh and I think what we are hoping for is we want to make sure that we never get to that point,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

She continued, “And we want to make sure that we are moving all of our economic research and global positions to avoid any such confrontation and for that question to even arise.”

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The exchange took place amid ongoing international discussions about China’s posture toward Taiwan and the role of U.S. deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. policy toward Taiwan has historically included a combination of military support, arms sales, and strategic ambiguity regarding direct intervention.

In addition to foreign policy, Ocasio-Cortez also spoke about domestic economic issues, including income inequality and taxation.

“I think we are moving in this direction… We have to have a working class-centered politics, if we are going to succeed and also if we are going to stave off the scourges of authoritarianism, which provide political siren calls to allure people into finding scapegoats to blame for rising economic inequality,” she said.

She reiterated her support for a “wealth tax” as part of broader economic reforms aimed at addressing disparities in income and wealth distribution.

The Munich Security Conference is an annual gathering of global leaders, policymakers, and security experts to discuss international security challenges.

Panels frequently address military alliances, economic policy, geopolitical tensions, and shifts in global power dynamics.

Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance marked a rare international platform for the New York congresswoman, who is known primarily for her domestic policy advocacy.

The question about Taiwan placed her alongside other global leaders and officials weighing in on one of the most sensitive foreign policy issues facing the United States.

Her remarks emphasized conflict avoidance and economic measures rather than direct military commitments.

The exchange drew attention as debates continue in Washington over U.S. readiness to respond to potential aggression by China and the scope of American obligations in the region.

The discussion also reflected broader ideological debates over how economic policy intersects with international stability.

Ocasio-Cortez linked what she described as rising income inequality to political instability and authoritarian movements, arguing that domestic economic reforms play a role in shaping global outcomes.

Her participation in the conference placed her in a forum typically attended by heads of state, defense ministers, and senior diplomats, as conversations about Taiwan, China, and U.S. global strategy remain central to American foreign policy debates.

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