Republican US lawmaker to lead Taiwan trip amid China balloon tensions
- House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul is planning a bipartisan delegation to show support for the island and as ‘deterrence’ to Beijing
- He says House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will plan a separate trip to Taiwan either later this year or next year
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said he plans to lead a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan this spring, despite renewed tensions with Beijing over China’s alleged spy balloon incursion over the US.
“I think it’s important to show China that we support Taiwan as a deterrence. I think it’s important to do that,” McCaul said in an interview on Tuesday.
The schedule and member list remains fluid, but the trip would probably take place during the congressional recess in April, a person familiar with the matter said. Discussions with some House Democrats have started about joining such a trip with McCaul, said one of the lawmakers who have been approached.
The Texas Republican said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy would plan a separate trip to the island either later this year or next year. He said he intends to join McCarthy, whenever the Speaker does go.
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‘A clear overreaction’: Beijing rebukes Washington for shooting down Chinese balloon
The US-China relationship is already under fresh strain after Beijing flew an alleged spy balloon across the continental US and accused the Biden administration of overreacting when it shot the balloon down over the Atlantic Ocean three days ago.