US-Taiwanese Relations

China is threatening to retaliate if House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-20) meets next week with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Los Angeles—one of two US cities bookending Tsai's 10-day overseas trip. The tentative meeting was rebuked by Chinese officials yesterday, who view such visits as a provocation and de facto recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty (see background).

Beijing views the self-ruling island as part of China, while Taiwan maintains its independence. The US has long adopted an ambiguous policy, which analysts say may be increasingly untenable as China becomes more assertive in the region.

The trip comes days after Honduras cut ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China, leaving Taiwan with only 13 countries that recognize it as a sovereign state. Tsai is set to transit through New York today on her way to Guatemala and Belize before meeting McCarthy and other Republican members of Congress in Los Angeles April 5 on her return to Taiwan.