Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a hawk who rarely misses a chance to denounce China, was uncharacteristically circumspect when asked about the trip.
Eager to find a foil for China, US President Donald Trump's administration is stepping up support for Taiwan, although a high-level visit to the island shows it is still treading carefully on an especially explosive issue.
"Cabinet members have traveled to Taiwan previously. This is consistent with policies of previous times," Pompeo told reporters. Douglas Paal, who headed the American Institute in Taiwan during George W. Bush's presidency, said that the Trump administration was still paying heed to China's red line – that no US official handling national security visit Taiwan.The difference this time, he said, is the context – with Azar traveling at a time that relations between Washington and Beijing have hit a new bottom.
In recent days, Trump has ordered sweeping restrictions on popular Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat, and the Treasury Department slapped sanctions on Hong Kong's leader over a tough law that curbs dissent. Taiwan has built broad, bipartisan support in Washington. President Tsai Ing-wen has been hailed not only for her decisive coronavirus response but also, among US Democrats, for her progressive views including advocacy of gay rights, unusual for an Asian leader.
The United States has also been more assertive in calling for Taiwan's inclusion in international institutions, especially the World Health Organization.
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