With Taiwan vote, US believes tensions won’t go past simmer

Taiwan’s election had long loomed for US policymakers who feared a showdown with China. Ahead of the vote Saturday, Washington now largely expects to avoid near-term escalation — but is taking no chances in the longer term.

President Joe Biden plans to send a delegation to Taiwan after the election, and expects no let-up in rising defense and trade cooperation with the self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing, officials said.

But the Biden administration has also stepped up dialogue with China, which has notched down its strident tone on the United States as President Xi Jinping looks to focus on economic headwinds at home.

China since 2022 has carried out two rounds of major military exercises in response to support of Taiwan by US House speakers and, ahead of the vote, has derided election front-runner Lai Ching-te.

A Biden administration official warned China not to be a…