US urges states and private companies to expand ties with Taiwan amid Chinese pressure

Three U.S. federal departments — State, Agriculture, and Commerce — issued a joint letter encouraging American states and businesses to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan in trade, investment, education, and tourism, despite Chinese diplomatic pressure. Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the move, while Beijing reiterated its opposition.

The U.S. government has issued a multi-agency directive urging American states and private companies to deepen ties with Taiwan, directly countering Chinese efforts to discourage such engagement. The joint letter from the State Department, the Agriculture Department, and the Commerce Department, published by the American Institute in Taiwan — the de facto U.S. embassy — explicitly notes that Chinese embassies and consulates have contacted U.S. officials and businesses to dissuade cooperation with Taiwan.

The letter frames Taiwan as 'a vital partner of the U.S. and a democratic success story' and calls on governors and business leaders to 'take advantage of all the opportunities offered by our shared values and strong relationship with Taiwan.' It encourages cooperation in trade, investment, education, and tourism, and instructs recipients who face Chinese pressure to contact the State Department.

Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the move, calling it a demonstration of U.S. commitment to expanding bilateral ties despite China's efforts to limit Taiwan's international engagement. China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing's opposition to official U.S.-Taiwan exchanges and urged Washington to avoid sending 'any wrong signal' to 'separatist forces.'

Washington has issued similar guidance in the past in response to Chinese diplomatic pressure on U.S. states and companies.

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