Nuclear Weapons and American Policy toward the First Taiwan Strait Crisis Zhao Xuegong(100) The first Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1954-1955 was an important event in SinoUS relations in the 1950s and another direct test of strength between the two countries after the Korean War. The crisis once again pushed the two sides to the brink of war. During the crisis, the Eisenhower Administration constantly brandished the nuclear weapons, attempting to force China to make concessions with nuclear deterrence. But Americas tough policy did not bring any result. On the contrary, it landed America in a dilemma. Meanwhile, the crisis also revealed the limit to USChina confrontation and brought out the nature of Americas “brinkmanship” policy and “nuclear deterrence” strategy.