The Biden administration is pushing forward on trade talks with Taiwan, which are likely to draw backlash from Beijing and further roil fraught relations between the U.S. and China.
Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenOvernight Defense: Supreme Court declines to hear suit challenging male-only draft | Drone refuels Navy fighter jet for the first time | NATO chief meets with Austin, Biden Watch live: Blinken testifies before House panel Blinken says Biden will give Putin warning on future cyberattacks MORE said in a hearing with lawmakers on Monday that the U.S. is “engaged in conversations… or soon will be on some kind of framework agreement” about deepening trade ties with Taiwan.
Blinken, who was responding to a question from Rep. Andy BarrAndy BarrTaiwan presses US on COVID-19 vaccines GOP lawmakers ask acting inspector general to investigate John Kerry Overnight Energy: Biden will aim to cut US emissions in half by 2030 | Oil and gas leasing pause on public lands will last at least through June MORE (R-Ky.), directed further questions about details to the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine TaiKatherine TaiOn The Money: May jobs report to land at pivotal moment in Biden agenda | Biden, top GOP negotiator agree to continue infrastructure talks Friday USTR announces suspended tariffs on six nations after probes into digital taxes Biden faces dilemma on Trump steel tariffs MORE.
Click Here: crusaders rugby jerseys
ADVERTISEMENT
A spokesman for Tai’s office told the Wall Street Journal that strengthening relations with Taiwan is important, though “we have no meetings to announce at this time.”
The secretary’s remarks about the prospect of deepening trade relations with Taiwan came as three senators visited the tiny island, drawing backlash from Beijing which considers it a breakaway territory and has threatened annexation through military force.
Sens. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden, Harris take US goals abroad US to supply Taiwan with 750K vaccine doses, senator says Trio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions MORE (D-Ill.), Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanUS to supply Taiwan with 750K vaccine doses, senator says Trio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions White House pressed on evacuating Afghan allies as time runs out MORE (R-Alaska) and Chris CoonsChris Andrew CoonsUS to supply Taiwan with 750K vaccine doses, senator says Trio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions 3 Delaware officers shot while responding to call MORE (D-Del.) arrived on the island on Sunday, meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and announcing that the U.S. would be providing 750,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.
“We’re grateful for your strong support for our country, our health, and our role in ensuring regional stability,” Tsai said, who has gained political popularity for a tougher stance against Beijing, said in a statement on Twitter. “I look forward to working together to advance our shared values and enduring partnership.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin slammed the Taiwan visit by the senators in a press conference Monday, claiming it “gravely violates” U.S. and China agreement of the “One-China principle” that calls for relations with Taipei to go through Beijing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wang called for the U.S. to “discontinue all forms of official interactions with Taiwan” and said “it should avoid sending any wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and causing further damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
The U.S. maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan at various levels in a delicate balance of diplomacy, committed to the island’s self defense as part of the Taiwan Relations Act, but withholding official, senior-level ties in deference to China.
But increasing tensions between Washington and Beijing – the Biden administration has identified China as the greatest challenge of the 21st century – have pushed previous presidential administrations and lawmakers to demand closer ties with Taipei.