U.S. Boosts Trade With Taiwan, Shuns China Threats

The United States will boost trade with Taiwan in response to China's "provocative" behavior, the White House said as it insisted on the right of air and sea passage through the tense strait, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

Photo Insert: A new trade plan will be unveiled within days, while US forces will transit the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks, said Kurt Campbell, White House coordinator for Asia-Pacific issues and an adviser to President Joe Biden.

A new trade plan will be unveiled within days, while US forces will transit the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks, said Kurt Campbell, White House coordinator for Asia-Pacific issues and an adviser to President Joe Biden.

The statement came after Beijing raged at last week's trip by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, launching its largest-ever military drills around the self-ruled island.

Campbell said Pelosi's visit was "consistent" with Washington's existing policy and that China had "overreacted." Beijing used the pretext to "launch an intensified pressure campaign against Taiwan to try to change the status quo, jeopardizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region," he said.

"China has overreacted and its actions continue to be provocative, destabilizing, and unprecedented."

In response to China's drills, the US is reasserting its involvement in the area, while reiterating its policy of "strategic ambiguity" -- diplomatically recognizing China while simultaneously supporting Taiwan's self-rule.

Campbell said the administration would continue to "deepen our ties with Taiwan, including through continuing to advance our economic and trade relationship. For example, we're developing an ambitious roadmap for trade negotiations which we intend to announce in the coming days."

Campbell said the US would also reassert its right to use international air and sea space between Taiwan and China. US forces "will continue to fly, sail and operate where international law allows, consistent with our long-standing commitment to freedom of navigation."

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic