Latest news with #US-Taiwan
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump administration to ‘aggressively revoke' visas for some Chinese students
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the Trump administration will 'aggressively revoke' visas for a segment of Chinese students. Chinese foreign nationals studying 'critical fields' or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party will be among the students targeted for removal, the top US diplomat said. 'Under President Trump's leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,' Rubio said in a statement. Advertisement 'We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong,' he added. 3 Rubio said the Trump administration will target Chinese students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and those studying 'critical fields.' Mehmet Eser/ZUMA / The secretary did not disclose which areas of study would constitute 'critical fields.' Advertisement The State Department did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. The US grants nearly 300,000 student visas to Chinese nationals every year, according to Rep. Riley Moore ( who introduced legislation to halt the practice earlier this year. 'The CCP poses an existential threat to the US,' Moore wrote on X following Rubio's announcement. 'We should not be letting 300,000 Chinese nationals into our research institutions every year. 'This is a huge move from the Trump Admin, and now Congress must codify the president's agenda by passing my Stop CCP Visas Act.' Advertisement The congressman noted that Beijing's 2017 National Intelligence Law requires any Chinese organization or citizen to support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work – both at home and abroad. 'We've literally invited the CCP to spy on our military, steal our intellectual property, and threaten national security,' Moore said when he unveiled his bill in March. 'Just last year, the FBI charged five Chinese nationals here on student visas after they were caught photographing joint US-Taiwan live fire military exercises. 'This cannot continue.' 3 Rubio has already revoked thousands of foreign student visas. X/@SecRubio Advertisement The Trump administration's crackdown on Chinese student visa holders comes one day after Rubio ordered US embassies and consulates to pause any student visa applicant interviews, according to an internal cable obtained by Politico. 'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,' the cable read. Rubio has already revoked at least 4,000 visas from foreign nationals charged with criminal offenses – including arson, wildlife and human trafficking, child endangerment, domestic abuse, DUI and robbery, a senior State Department official told The Post last month. The secretary of state has also targeted students involved in anti-Israel campus protests, such as Columbia University grad Mahmoud Khalil. 3 Trump proposed limiting Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students earlier on Wednesday. AP Last week, an effort by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to specifically target 7,000 Harvard University students for visa revocations was blocked by a federal court. Oakland, Calif. US District Judge Jeffrey S. White implemented a nationwide injunction barring the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of any international students or allowing immigration authorities to arrest or detain them. Trump on Wednesday floated capping Harvard University's foreign enrollment at 15% of its student body. The administration last month froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to the elite university and last week paused its ability to enroll international students — after college leaders rebuffed administration demands to curtail antisemitic incidents and provide lists of foreign students for federal review.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US Sen. Duckworth visits Taiwan to discuss regional security, trade
AP image Pro-Taiwan US Sen. Tammy Duckworth is visiting the self-governing island democracy to discuss regional security and relations with the US. Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, will hold a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss US-Taiwan relations during her visit on 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 US commitments. Duckworth and her staff are the second US 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 per cent of the world's most advanced computer chips. Taiwan also faces 32 per cent 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 US Pacific territory that would almost certainly be a key player in any Chinese military moves against Taiwan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 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 maximise 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 carrier, whose hull was bought from Ukraine and then fitted out by China more than a decade ago. China has two aircraft carriers including the Liaoning, a third undergoing sea trials and a fourth under construction. "What I can tell you is that the activities of the Chinese warship in the relevant waters are fully in line with international law and the basic norms of international relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. 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 US would be required to respond to under its own laws. While the US 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.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
William Lai vows to protect Taiwan security and industry in speech marking year as leader
Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has pledged to protect interests of the island's various sectors in its ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, while standing firm on security amid growing pressure from Beijing. Advertisement In a speech marking his first year in office on Tuesday, Lai reiterated his call for peace and dialogue with Beijing but emphasised that Taiwan must continue strengthening its defence and self-reliance to ensure security and stability. Facing both external and internal challenges over the past year, Lai has had to navigate tensions with Washington – despite what he described as the 'best-ever' US-Taiwan relations – alongside near-daily military threats from Beijing and sharp political divisions at home. 02:17 Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveils plan to build 'AI supercomputer' in Taiwan Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveils plan to build 'AI supercomputer' in Taiwan The administration was caught off guard last month when US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 32 per cent tariff on Taiwanese imports , citing unfair trade practices and a large bilateral surplus. 'Friction between friends is inevitable, but it can be worked through,' Lai said. 'Taiwan has long engaged and cooperated with the United States and other democratic partners, growing together through mutual encouragement.' Advertisement Responding to mounting concern over the tariff talks, Lai said discussions were 'ongoing and proceeding smoothly' after a previous round of in-person negotiations. 'The government will uphold three core principles: protecting national interests, supporting industrial development, and never sacrificing any single sector,' he said. 'We will deepen Taiwan-US economic ties in a deliberate, balanced and strategic manner to secure the best possible outcome.'
Business Recorder
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Fitch puts Taiwan life insurers on downgrade watch after currency surge
TOKYO: Credit ratings agency Fitch on Thursday placed five Taiwanese life insurers under review for potential downgrades after a sharp surge in the Taiwanese dollar this month put stress on their balance sheets. Fitch put Cathay Life Insurance, Fubon Life Insurance, KGI Life Insurance, Nan Shan Life Insurance and Taiwan Life Insurance on 'Rating Watch Negative' due to the 'substantial currency mismatch' produced by their 'sizeable' US dollar holdings, the ratings agency said in a press release. 'While insurers have hedged a majority of their balance sheet mismatches, we believe this strategy will come under pressure due to the surge in hedging costs, and unhedged positions continue to expose them to sharp currency swings,' Fitch said. 'The potential for further Taiwan dollar appreciation remains.' Taiwan's dollar experienced an unprecedented 8% two-day surge at the start of this month in what analysts postulate was a scramble to repatriate US-based investments, with confidence in the US dollar tarnished by President Donald Trump's trade war, and as speculation built that US-Taiwan tariff negotiations might include an agreement to weaken the greenback. Fitch forecasts Pakistan rupee at 285 against US dollar by June, 295 by FY26 end Fitch estimates the insurers have sufficient capital buffers to withstand a 10% rise in the Taiwan dollar against the US dollar from the start of 2025. Currently, the local currency is up about 8.8% this year. The ratings agency said it expects to resolve the reviews over the next three to six months.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dollar drifts as US currency policy in focus; S.Korean won jumps
TOKYO: The dollar weakened on Thursday in a turbulent week headlined by a US-China tariff truce, while speculation that Washington is seeking a weaker dollar as part of some of the trade deals spurred further gains in the South Korean won. The Asian currency was volatile again as investors weighed the news that officials from South Korea and the US met last week to discuss the dollar/won exchange rate. That spurred speculation that Washington wanted a weaker dollar to be part of trade talks with Asian countries, although a report from Bloomberg played it down. Still, concerns over the US administration's dollar policy is likely to keep investors wary and underpin Asian currencies in the near term. The won was 0.8 per cent higher at 1,396.22 per dollar after a 0.6 per cent rise in the previous session. The won was the worst performer among emerging Asian currencies last year, dropping 14 per cent against the dollar but is up nearly 6 per cent this year. The sudden lurch in the won was reminiscent of an unprecedented two-day surge in Taiwan's currency at the start of May, which also coincided with the end of US-Taiwan trade talks in Washington. "Reports of currency discussions between the US and South Korea, coupled with signs the Trump administration may tolerate a weaker dollar, have fuelled won sentiment," said Kieran Williams, head of Asia FX at InTouch Capital Markets. "Broader uncertainty around the domestic outlook and trade tensions could temper the won's upside near term." While the dollar has clawed back some of its recent losses against the euro, pound and the yen that were driven by concerns over President Donald Trump's economic policies, it has slipped against most of the emerging market currencies. The Mexican peso was last at 19.38 per dollar, hovering near the seven-month high it scaled in the previous session. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.3 per cent to 146.32 per dollar but remained close to the one-month low of 148.65 touched earlier this week. The dollar index, which measures the US unit against six other currencies, was 0.11 per cent lower at 100.89, but on course for the fourth straight week of gains. Investor focus on Thursday will be on retail sales data while they look for more details on possible trade deals after easing of tensions between the US and China. The two countries on Monday announced a 90-day pause on most of the tariffs imposed on each other's goods since early April, leading to a brief relief rally. "We consider there is more upside to the dollar in the near term as market participants reassess the outlook for the US and global economies following the temporary US-China trade deal," said Kristina Clifton, an economist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "The USD index could lift by another 2 per cent-3 per cent in the next few weeks. We expect the euro, pound and yen to bear the brunt of the dollar's recovery." US Treasury yields were elevated and the benchmark 10-year yield rose to a one-month top, in part due to worries over Trump's budget package that would add trillions of dollars to the US debt. Down Under, the Australian dollar swung higher again after a surprisingly strong reading on employment added to the case against rapid-fire rate cuts in coming months, though an easing is still widely expected next week. The Aussie was 0.22 per cent higher at US$0.64425, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.17 per cent at US$0.5908.
