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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US Sen. Duckworth visits Taiwan to discuss regional security and trade
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Strongly pro-Taiwan U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is visiting the self-governing island democracy to discuss regional security and relations with the U.S. Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, will hold a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations during her visit Wednesday and Thursday, said the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as the de-facto American embassy in Taiwan in liu of formal diplomatic relations. Trade, investment and 'other significant issues of mutual interest' also are on the schedule, the institute said. 'The visit underscores the United States' commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and reaffirms our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' the institute said. China routinely protests such visits, which it views as a violation of U.S. commitments. Duckworth and her staff are the second U.S. congressional delegation to visit Taiwan in as many days, demonstrating concerns in Washington over the island's security in the face of Chinese threats to invade, as well as its importance as a trade partner, particularly as the producer of 90% of the world's most advanced computer chips. Taiwan also faces 32% tariffs under the Trump administration, a figure the government in Taiwan is attempting to negotiate to a lower level without angering sectors such as agriculture that fear lower tariffs could open their markets to heightened competition from abroad. Duckworth is visiting at the same time as Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, the governor of Guam, the U.S. Pacific territory that would almost certainly be a key player in any Chinese military moves against Taiwan. Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949 and Beijing still considers the island its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. China refuses all contact with the government of President Lai Ching-te, whom China brands as a separatist, and seeks to maximize diplomatic pressure on Taiwan. While China sends military aircraft, ships and spy balloons near Taiwan as part of a campaign of daily harassment, special attention has been given this week to the location of the Liaoning, China's first aircraft built entirely by itself. China has three aircraft carriers and a fourth undergoing sea trials. Col. Hu Chung-hua of the Taiwanese Defense Ministry's' intelligence department told reporters Wednesday that the carrier was currently in waters southeast of Taiwan and has been under close surveillance by Taiwan's monitoring stations since leaving its home port in China. There are concerns the carrier might stage military drills close to Taiwan that could be a further step toward a blockade, an act the U.S. would be required to respond to under its own laws. While the U.S. provides much of Taiwan's high-tech military hardware, the law is unclear whether it would send forces to aid Taiwan in the event of a conflict. Hu said the ministry would not comment on the possibility of drills near Taiwan, but considers all options while monitoring the Chinese military. The ministry "anticipates the enemy as broadly as possible and defends against the enemy strictly. We also carefully evaluate and act accordingly,' Hu said. China is considered a master of 'grey-zone encounters' that bring tensions just to the point of breaking out into open conflict. Col. Su Tong-wei of the ministry's operation of planning said the armed forces were constantly evaluating threat levels to consider whether to 'activate a response center, or to increase our defense readiness to perform an immediate readiness drill.' "We will also react accordingly to safeguard national security,' Su said.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
US Sen. Duckworth visits Taiwan to discuss regional security and trade
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Strongly pro-Taiwan U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is visiting the self-governing island democracy to discuss regional security and relations with the U.S. Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, will hold a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations during her visit Wednesday and Thursday, said the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as the de-facto American embassy in Taiwan in liu of formal diplomatic relations.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
US Sen. Duckworth visits Taiwan to discuss regional security and trade
Strongly pro-Taiwan U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is visiting the self-governing island democracy to discuss regional security and relations with the U.S. Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, will hold a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations during her visit Wednesday and Thursday, said the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as the de-facto American embassy in Taiwan in liu of formal diplomatic relations. Trade, investment and 'other significant issues of mutual interest' also are on the schedule, the institute said. 'The visit underscores the United States' commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and reaffirms our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' the institute said. China routinely protests such visits, which it views as a violation of U.S. commitments. Duckworth and her staff are the second U.S. congressional delegation to visit Taiwan in as many days, demonstrating concerns in Washington over the island's security in the face of Chinese threats to invade, as well as its importance as a trade partner, particularly as the producer of 90% of the world's most advanced computer chips. Taiwan also faces 32% tariffs under the Trump administration, a figure the government in Taiwan is attempting to negotiate to a lower level without angering sectors such as agriculture that fear lower tariffs could open their markets to heightened competition from abroad. Duckworth is visiting at the same time as Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, the governor of Guam, the U.S. Pacific territory that would almost certainly be a key player in any Chinese military moves against Taiwan. Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949 and Beijing still considers the island its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. China refuses all contact with the government of President Lai Ching-te, whom China brands as a separatist, and seeks to maximize diplomatic pressure on Taiwan. While China sends military aircraft, ships and spy balloons near Taiwan as part of a campaign of daily harassment, special attention has been given this week to the location of the Liaoning, China's first aircraft built entirely by itself. China has three aircraft carriers and a fourth undergoing sea trials. Col. Hu Chung-hua of the Taiwanese Defense Ministry's' intelligence department told reporters Wednesday that the carrier was currently in waters southeast of Taiwan and has been under close surveillance by Taiwan's monitoring stations since leaving its home port in China. There are concerns the carrier might stage military drills close to Taiwan that could be a further step toward a blockade, an act the U.S. would be required to respond to under its own laws. While the U.S. provides much of Taiwan's high-tech military hardware, the law is unclear whether it would send forces to aid Taiwan in the event of a conflict. Hu said the ministry would not comment on the possibility of drills near Taiwan, but considers all options while monitoring the Chinese military. The ministry "anticipates the enemy as broadly as possible and defends against the enemy strictly. We also carefully evaluate and act accordingly,' Hu said. China is considered a master of 'grey-zone encounters' that bring tensions just to the point of breaking out into open conflict. Col. Su Tong-wei of the ministry's operation of planning said the armed forces were constantly evaluating threat levels to consider whether to 'activate a response center, or to increase our defense readiness to perform an immediate readiness drill.' "We will also react accordingly to safeguard national security,' Su said.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
US Sen. Duckworth visits Taiwan to discuss regional security and trade
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Strongly pro-Taiwan U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is visiting the self-governing island democracy to discuss regional security and relations with the U.S. Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, will hold a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations during her visit Wednesday and Thursday, said the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as the de-facto American embassy in Taiwan in liu of formal diplomatic relations. Trade, investment and 'other significant issues of mutual interest' also are on the schedule, the institute said. 'The visit underscores the United States' commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and reaffirms our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' the institute said. China routinely protests such visits, which it views as a violation of U.S. commitments. Duckworth and her staff are the second U.S. congressional delegation to visit Taiwan in as many days, demonstrating concerns in Washington over the island's security in the face of Chinese threats to invade, as well as its importance as a trade partner, particularly as the producer of 90% of the world's most advanced computer chips. Taiwan also faces 32% tariffs under the Trump administration, a figure the government in Taiwan is attempting to negotiate to a lower level without angering sectors such as agriculture that fear lower tariffs could open their markets to heightened competition from abroad. Duckworth is visiting at the same time as Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, the governor of Guam, the U.S. Pacific territory that would almost certainly be a key player in any Chinese military moves against Taiwan. Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949 and Beijing still considers the island its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. China refuses all contact with the government of President Lai Ching-te, whom China brands as a separatist, and seeks to maximize diplomatic pressure on Taiwan. While China sends military aircraft, ships and spy balloons near Taiwan as part of a campaign of daily harassment, special attention has been given this week to the location of the Liaoning, China's first aircraft built entirely by itself. China has three aircraft carriers and a fourth undergoing sea trials. Col. Hu Chung-hua of the Taiwanese Defense Ministry's' intelligence department told reporters Wednesday that the carrier was currently in waters southeast of Taiwan and has been under close surveillance by Taiwan's monitoring stations since leaving its home port in China. There are concerns the carrier might stage military drills close to Taiwan that could be a further step toward a blockade, an act the U.S. would be required to respond to under its own laws. While the U.S. provides much of Taiwan's high-tech military hardware, the law is unclear whether it would send forces to aid Taiwan in the event of a conflict. Hu said the ministry would not comment on the possibility of drills near Taiwan, but considers all options while monitoring the Chinese military. The ministry 'anticipates the enemy as broadly as possible and defends against the enemy strictly. We also carefully evaluate and act accordingly,' Hu said. China is considered a master of 'grey-zone encounters' that bring tensions just to the point of breaking out into open conflict. Col. Su Tong-wei of the ministry's operation of planning said the armed forces were constantly evaluating threat levels to consider whether to 'activate a response center, or to increase our defense readiness to perform an immediate readiness drill.' 'We will also react accordingly to safeguard national security,' Su said.
Free Malaysia Today
13-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
US mission in Taipei says Trump's ‘unification' comment was about US-China trade
Taiwan's presidential office said it noted the US comment that President Donald Trump was referring to trade talks with China, not Taiwan. (EPA Images pic) TAIPEI : US President Donald Trump's comment on 'unification' was about the US-China trade relationship, and US policy towards Taiwan has not changed, the de facto embassy on the island said today, after the wording caused unease in Taipei. China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to 'reunify' with the island, by force if necessary. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. Yesterday, Washington and Beijing agreed to slash steep tariffs for at least 90 days, pausing their trade war, a move Trump praised when speaking to reporters at the White House. 'They've agreed to open China, fully open China, and I think it's going to be fantastic for China, I think it's going to be fantastic for us, and I think it's going to be great for unification and peace,' he said, without mentioning Taiwan. In a statement, the American Institute in Taiwan, which operates as a de facto embassy in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, said Trump was speaking about US-China trade. 'It's clear President Trump was speaking in the context of the US-China trade relationship,' a spokesman said. 'US policy on Taiwan remains the same, and the US approach to Taiwan has remained consistent across decades and administrations,' the spokesman added. Taiwan's presidential office, in a separate statement, noted the US comment that Trump was referring to trade talks with China and not Taiwan. 'The US commitment to Taiwan remains strong and unchanged,' spokesman Karen Kuo said, adding that Taiwan's understanding was that the US-China trade talks did not touch on Taiwan-related issues. Trump's remarks created concern in some government and diplomatic circles in Taiwan on whether US policy towards the island had changed, seven sources told Reuters. 'Is he going to change the status quo, accepting the annexation of Taiwan?,' one of the sources said, a senior official who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The US government only officially recognises the government in Beijing, and does not take a position on Taiwan's sovereignty, only acknowledging China's position on the subject under Washington's long-standing 'one China policy'. Washington is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and has repeatedly expressed condemnation of stepped up Chinese military activities, including the latest round of war games in April.
