McCarthy hopes to continue working with Taiwan to promote freedom, democracy, peace and stability. Tsai Ing-wen said she considers the friendship between the two countries “essential to maintain economic freedom, peace and regional stability”.
According to BNR foreign commentator Bernard Hammelburg, this is a “visit of solidarity” and is comparable to the visit to Taiwan by McCarthy’s predecessor Nancy Pelosi. According to Hammelburg, many politicians want to make it clear that more needs to be done for the endangered democracies in that region, for example through arms aid. During the visit, therefore, there was also talk of speeding up arms deliveries to Taiwan.
Yet insisting on solidarity is inconsistent, says Hammelburg. ‘If countries really meant it, they should recognize Taiwan, but they don’t. This applies to the United States, but Holland also participates». According to Hammelburg, this is because the Netherlands is not keen on a conflict with China.
Dissatisfaction from China
Ahead of the visit, China threatened “countermeasures” if the deal went through. China sees democratically governed Taiwan as Chinese territory and is seeking to diplomatically isolate the island nation.
When former President Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year, the Chinese government reacted furiously. In response, China sent warships to the island and suspended talks with the United States on climate change.
The Taiwanese president is currently on a ten-day trip visiting several countries. In addition to a visit to the United States, visits to Guatemala and Belize are also planned.