Kevin McCarthy says that the United States should ramp up the weapons sales to Taiwan and speed it up while brushing off concerns of rising threats from China by saying he won’t let Beijing dictate where he travels.
The House Speaker, flanked by a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the Ronald Reagan Library in California on Wednesday, said his meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is an effort to prevent conflict from arising between China and the small island nation.
China warned against McCarthy and other lawmakers meeting with Tsai, but the Speaker said he would not be deterred. He also said he is considering a trip to Taiwan in the future with another bipartisan group of lawmakers.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said earlier in the day that coinciding with Tsai’s meeting with McCarthy, a Chinese aircraft carrier group appeared in the waters off the island’s southeast coast.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy led a bipartisan group of lawmaker for a meeting with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen in California on Wednesday
McCarthy (right) and Tsai (left) held meetings Wednesday morning before delivering joint remarks to the press, followed by the press conference with the Speaker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers
The military drills increased threats from China over the U.S. support for Taiwan after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) warned of unspecified retaliation if the meeting went forward.
‘My first message – there’s no need for retaliation,’ McCarthy told reporters gathered outside the library in Simi Valley, California on Wednesday.
McCarthy’s Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi praised his meeting and show of bipartisan support for Taiwan.
‘Today’s meeting between President Tsai of Taiwan and Speaker McCarthy is to be commended for its leadership, its bipartisan participation and its distinguished and historic venue,’ Pelosi wrote in a statement Wednesday.
The House Speaker also said that China needs to recognize his position as the top lawmaker in the United States House of Representatives and realize they cannot dictate where he goes.
‘The one thing I would say to China, too, at no time – I am the Speaker of the House. There’s no place that China’s going to tell me where I can go or who I can speak to, whether you be foe or whether you be friend,’ he added. ‘I’m not the general manager of the Houston Rockets.’
Giving credit where due, McCarthy said that the Biden administration has signaled to him and other lawmakers that they want to continue sending arms to Taiwan and are committed to helping speed up the process.
‘I think this administration, and my communications with them too, see the importance of speeding up the weapon delivery systems,’ McCarthy said, adding when asked if he thinks they need to do more: ‘I’m not feeling the same differences based upon your question.’
‘And I do believe in the motto of President Reagan – ‘peace through strength’ – and deterring,’ claiming that sending arms will help stop China from thinking they can bully Taiwan and take it under its ‘One China’ policy.
McCarthy said while speaking in front of a piece of the Berlin Wall at the Reagan Library that he would not let China dictate where he travels or whom he meets and speaks with in response to questions over threats of retaliation
Security guards separate Taiwan supporters as they confront protesters opposed to Taiwanese independence outside the hotel where Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is staying in California
Asked if the administration should do more than send weapons and increase trade, McCarthy took responsibility and said it’s Congress’ job to act.
‘The one thing I always believe – we should keep communication going,’ McCarthy said. ‘I think from policymakers here, the more we are able to speak with one voice, I think the greater understanding China will understand where we stand. More importantly, it would help them to understand, don’t send a balloon over our heads, don’t use authoritarian bully tactics – it’s not going to go far.’
McCarthy did, however, concede that the flip-flopping in administration the last few decades has sent a message to China that the U.S. stance on Taiwan’s autonomy is up for debate.
‘The idea of America in the last number of years flip-flopping in administrations, I think it sent the wrong message to China,’ he said.
He said that a consistent message needs to be sent from the White House and lawmakers in Washington, D.C. that they stand with Taiwan.
Tsai did not join the lawmakers for the press conference following their meetings, but did make brief remarks to the press thanking McCarthy for showing Congress’ support for Taiwan’s autonomy.
‘The members here today make clear – we take our support for the people of Taiwan seriously and are determined to speak with one voice,’ McCarthy said at the press conference Wednesday afternoon. ‘The relationship between the people of the United States and Taiwan have never been stronger in my lifetime.’
Speaking briefly after McCarthy were No. 3 House Democratic Pete Aguilar, Chairman of the Select Committee on China Mike Gallagher, Democratic Ranking Member of the Select Committee on China Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith.
President Tsai shakes hands with Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson ahead of a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by McCarthy
Speaker McCarthy greeted President Tsai at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California on Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Those at the meeting who did not speak at the press conference were Republican Reps. Ashley Hinson of Iowa; Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana; John Curtis of Utah; Carlos Gimenez of Florida; Trent Kelly of Mississippi; John Moolenaar of Michigan; Adrian Smith of Nebraska; Michelle Steel of California and Rob Wittman of Virginia.
The list of Democrats was a bit smaller with Reps. Julia Brownley of California; Seth Moulton of Massachusetts; Haley Stevens of Michigan; and Ritchie Torres of New York.
During talks with President Tsai and her delegation on Wednesday morning, McCarthy said lawmakers were able to get an insight into what actions they could take to help Taiwan amid rising threats from China.
This includes three things – continuing arms sales, strengthening economic cooperation and promoting shared values, like democracy and freedom.
‘We covered the crucial ways to further our bonds,’ McCarthy said.
‘Based on our conversations, it’s clear that several actions are necessary,’ the Speaker added. ‘First, we must continue the arms sales to Taiwan and make sure such sales reach Taiwan in a very timely basis. Second, we must strengthen our economic cooperation, particularly with trade and technology. Third, we must continue to promote our shared values on the world stage.’
