In a measure of genuine bipartisanship, even former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi praised current Speaker Kevin McCarthy for his meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan. The meeting took place at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, where McCarthy included a bipartisan group of U.S. legislators to signal a unanimous American front against Chinese objections.
Among Democrats joining the McCarthy-led Congressional Delegation were Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), and Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.).
McCarthy repeatedly vowed unwavering U.S. support for Taiwan, defying China in doing so, and extolled the bipartisan participation among his congressional colleagues, saying “members of Congress from both sides spoke with one voice” in supporting Taiwan.
McCarthy reported he is “optimistic we will continue to find ways for the people of America and Taiwan to work together to promote economic freedom, peace, and stability in Asia.”
After meeting with members of the US Congress from both sides of the aisle, I was heartened by their strong bipartisan support for #Taiwan. Thank you to @SpeakerMcCarthy & all our American friends. When we stand together, we are all stronger. pic.twitter.com/HVw2WqxBXz
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) April 6, 2023
President Tsai wrote: “After meeting with members of the US Congress from both sides of the aisle, I was heartened by their strong bipartisan support for #Taiwan.” Thanking McCarthy and “all our American friends,” Tsai wrote, “When we stand together, we are all stronger.”
Speaker McCarthy retweeted President Tsai’s message. He also retweeted a post from The Select Committee on the CCP that declared: “Speaker McCarthy and this bipartisan delegation are here today to send a simple message — we are not afraid.”
“@SpeakerMcCarthy and this bipartisan delegation are here today to send a simple message — we are not afraid.”
— The Select Committee on the CCP (@committeeonccp) April 5, 2023
“We support our friends in Taiwan [who]… stand as a bright candle burning at the edge of a vast authoritarian darkness.” – Chairman @RepGallagher from @Reagan_Library pic.twitter.com/Y2yjYsLk5J
McCarthy expressed unambiguous support for Taiwan, including maintaining critical military defense assistance through a continuation of timely delivery of American-made weaponry.
“It’s clear several actions are necessary,” McCarthy said. “We must continue arms sales to Taiwan and make sure such sales reach Taiwan on time. We must also strengthen our economic cooperation, particularly with trade and technology.”
In her uncommon praise of her successor, Pelosi wrote: “Today’s meeting between President Tsai of Taiwan and Speaker McCarthy is to be commended for its leadership, its bipartisan participation and its distinguished and historic venue.”
McCarthy summarized the importance of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship by emphasizing Taiwan’s role as a democracy and a technological beacon in the East.
“Taiwan is a successful democracy, thriving economy, and global leader in health and science,” McCarthy wrote. “Our cooperation continues to expand through dialogue and exchange.”
Taiwan is a successful democracy, thriving economy, and global leader in health and science. Our cooperation continues to expand through dialogue and exchange.
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) April 5, 2023
At 3pm ET, President @iingwen and I will deliver statements from the @Reagan_Library https://t.co/vmn31IOnwD pic.twitter.com/XRqiQM7lS3
