TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The State Department stood firm Wednesday (July 30) on allowing Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to transit through American territory, calling such arrangements standard policy. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce dismissed speculation about canceled travel plans, noting no official itinerary had been announced. The clarification came amid swirling reports about potential diplomatic restrictions on the Taiwanese leader's movements.
Bruce stressed that senior Taiwanese officials routinely transit through American territory under unchanged diplomatic protocols. Washington maintains its "One China" policy framework, anchored by the Taiwan Relations Act (臺灣關係法), three U.S.-China Joint Communiqués, and Six Assurances to Taiwan. These agreements have guided cross-strait relations for decades, balancing American commitments to both Beijing and Taipei.
Taiwan's Presidential Office (總統府) spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) announced Monday that President Lai canceled overseas travel plans entirely. The president remains focused on typhoon recovery operations across southern Taiwan while monitoring escalating regional security concerns. Domestic priorities have taken precedence over international diplomatic engagements during this critical period.
The Financial Times reported that the Trump administration previously blocked President Lai's New York transit after Beijing lodged formal protests. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded on Facebook, suggesting the report could signal dangerous American acquiescence to Chinese pressure on Taiwan matters. The revelation sparked concerns about whether Washington might compromise its traditional support for Taiwan's democratic leadership under Beijing's diplomatic coercion. ◼