El Salvador’s diplomatic switch to Beijing may hit economy and security throughout Americas, United States warns
White House issues rare strong statement saying Central American nation may be disappointed in the long run after falling prey to ‘China’s apparent interference’
Tensions between China and the United States are ballooning beyond the ongoing trade war on a new front over El Salvador’s decision to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, with the White House warning it will “affect the economic health and security of the entire Americas region”.
El Salvador has joined several other Latin American nations in cutting ties with Taipei, as Beijing and Washington continue to vie for greater influence in what is often referred to as America’s “backyard”.
In a rare, strongly worded statement on Friday, the White House said El Salvador’s decision to cut ties with Taiwan was a “grave concern” to the US, and warned the Central American nation it might be “disappointed over the long run” after falling prey to “China’s apparent interference in the domestic politics of a Western hemisphere country”.
“This is a decision that affects not just El Salvador, but also the economic health and security of the entire Americas region,” the White House said. “Around the world, governments are waking up to the fact that China’s economic inducements facilitate economic dependency and domination, not partnership.”