Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited the US after the referendum announcement was made, and during his talks with US president George W. Bush the latter expressed concern that this action could "unilaterally change the status quo in Taiwan." At the same time President Bush very clearly indicated that if China used military force against Taiwan the US would not remain indifferent.
其後中國總理溫家寶訪美，與美國總統布希會談時，布希總統亦對此一行動可能會「片面改變台灣的現狀」表達憂心；但他同時也明確表示，如果中國對台動武，美國將不會置身事外。