- Anna Ashton, Eurasia Group’s China director, said a meeting between Taiwan’s leader and the US House speaker would trigger a strong reaction from China.
- Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen will meet Kevin McCarthy face-to-face next week when he makes a transit trip through Los Angeles.
- “The reality is that McCarthy is third in line for the presidency. A meeting like this would be the most senior US official meeting ever with a Taiwanese president on American soil,” Aston told CNBC.
The flags of the United States and Taiwan are shown on phone screens in this multiple exposure illustration taken in Poland on August 4, 2022.
Jakub Borzicki | NoorPhoto | Good pictures
Anna Ashton, Eurasia Group’s China director, said a meeting between Taiwan’s leader and the US House speaker would trigger a strong reaction from China.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will meet face-to-face Kevin McCarthy When she Next week he’s taking a transit trip through Los Angeles. Tsai is currently on a 10-day trip to visit Central American allies Belize and Guatemala.
The meeting with McCarthy has not been officially confirmed.
“The reality is that McCarthy is third in line for the presidency. A meeting like this would be the most senior US official meeting ever with a Taiwanese president on US soil,” Aston told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday.
“Beijing has already warned of their opposition to this meeting, and we could see a reaction as big as the one after Pelosi’s visit.”
America’s crossing of China’s red lines could force China to use force and act more assertively.
Anna Ashton
China Director at Eurasia Group
Analysts warn that relations between the US and China are deteriorating. A meeting next week between Tsai and McCarthy will escalate already rising tensions.
China has repeatedly said that the issue with Taiwan is an internal matter. Beijing claims the self-governing island is part of its territory, and says Taiwan has no right to conduct foreign relations.
The Biden administration is calling the latest move on the tilt “unofficial.”
“On all previous trips, he met with members of Congress, state and local officials, and made public appearances,” said John Kirby, a White House National Security Council spokesman. At a press conference On Wednesday.
China’s foreign ministry had strong words for the US
“This trip is not a ‘transport’ but an effort to seek developments and propagate ‘Taiwan independence,'” the spokesman said. Mao Ning, said Wednesday at a regular press conference. “The problem is not that China is exaggerating, but that the US is too cooperative and supportive of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists.”
Beijing is constantly warning that Taiwan “First Red Line” Don’t cross it.
Ashton pointed out that China has often said it wants long-term peaceful reunification with Taiwan.
“Time is on China’s side and always has been — except for the truth, the US has become a little less predictable,” the analyst said.
“US crossing of China’s red lines could force China to use force and act decisively as it defends what it sees as its interests against US attempts to deter it.”
