Pelosi expresses strong support for Taiwan’s global engagement during talks with Taiwan’s President Lai

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated her unwavering support for Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations during a phone call with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Monday. According to Taiwan News, the talks during Lai’s stay in Hawaii were described by presidential office spokeswoman Karen Kuo as “warm and cordial”.

Welcoming Lai to the United States, Pelosi congratulated him/her on his/her recent election victory and reaffirmed his/her long-standing advocacy for Taiwan’s role on the global stage.

Citing her efforts at the World Health Organization (WHO), Pelosi stressed that Taiwan’s exclusion from international organizations could have “unimaginable consequences” for regional security and the global economy, Taiwan News reported.

he/she underlined his/her commitment to ensuring that Taiwan’s voice is heard internationally, highlighting bipartisan support for the island in the US Congress.

The issue of double taxation between Taiwan and the US was also discussed in the discussion. Pelosi stressed the importance of resolving the matter and said it reflects the strong and growing relations between the two countries.

Lai’s stop in Hawaii is part of a broader week-long visit to Taiwan’s Pacific diplomatic allies, including the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu. The visit is being seen as an effort to strengthen Taiwan-US relations and counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

According to CNA, Taiwan’s location at the center of the First Island Chain – a vital line of defense against Chinese expansionism – adds strategic importance to the visit, Taiwan News reports.

Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), said Lae’s stops in Hawaii, Palau and Guam are part of a strategy to connect the first, second and third island chains. These chains, which include key territories such as Taiwan, Guam and Hawaii, are critical to curbing China’s regional influence.

“The first island chain is the ‘first line of defense’ against Chinese expansionism and an important sea route for fuel,” Su told CNA.

Chieh Chung, a research fellow at the Association for Strategic Foresight, said the recent deployment of US carrier strike groups in the Pacific is likely aimed at deterring China, but is not directly linked to Lai’s visit, Taiwan News reported. .

Analysts believe China could respond with military exercises near Taiwan, but such actions could risk an international backlash.