US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan
US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan
ReutersThu, June 25, 2026 at 8:30 AM UTC
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A general view shows Taipei city skyline, including the Taipei 101 skyscraper, with Songshan Airport in the foreground in Taipei, Taiwan February 23, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
TAIPEI, June 25 (Reuters) - China has been contacting U.S. states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising U.S. policy, but links with Taiwan should be expanded, three U.S. government departments said in joint letters.
The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing, which claims the independently ruled island as its territory.
The two letters from U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce, one addressed to governor's offices and one to CEOs and business leaders, are dated June 16 but were released by the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan late on Wednesday.
Similarly worded, the letters say that China's embassy and consulates regularly contact local government offices or private business in the U.S. to "discourage engagement with Taiwan".
"In doing so, they often mischaracterise U.S. policy by, for example, falsely claiming that Washington has previously accepted Beijing's specific position on Taiwan," both the letters say.
Should government offices or companies be contacted by Chinese officials "applying pressure on you", they should contact the State Department, the letters say.
CHINA OPPOSES U.S.-TAIWAN INTERACTIONS
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Speaking in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China consistently and firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and Taiwan.
China urges the U.S. to handle the Taiwan issue with prudence, refrain from conducting official exchanges with Taiwan under any pretext, and avoid sending any wrong signals to separatist forces, he said.
The U.S. officially takes no position on Taiwan's sovereignty under Washington's "One China" policy.
Taiwan's government welcomed the letter and show of support from the U.S.
"Although Beijing continues to intensify its suppression of Taiwan and pressure international businesses, the U.S. government has clearly demonstrated its willingness to deepen cooperation with Taiwan," its foreign ministry said in a statement.
The letters say that Taiwan plays a key role in the global trade system and U.S. states and businesses have had robust ties with the island for many decades.
"Taiwan is a vital U.S. partner and democratic success story," the letter to the governors says. "We hope you will take advantage of all the opportunities that our shared values and robust relationship with Taiwan offer."
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Mei Mei Chu in Beijing; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus and Kevin Buckland)
Source: “AOL Breaking”
