U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Saturday (Jan. 9) that all self-imposed restrictions on executive branch agencies’ interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts have been lifted. Pompeo said the U.S. government has taken these self-limiting actions for decades to appease the Chinese Communist regime and “will not do so anymore.
Pompeo tweeted Saturday, “Today, I am lifting all self-imposed restrictions on executive branch agencies’ interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts. This move will benefit both of our great democracies.”
Pompeo also said in a statement on the State Department website Saturday that Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and a reliable partner of the United States, yet for decades, the State Department has developed complex internal restrictions to regulate the interactions of our diplomats, military personnel and other officials with their Taiwanese counterparts. “The U.S. government has taken these actions unilaterally to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. It will not do so again.” Pompeo said.
“Today I’m announcing that I’m lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions.” Pompeo said. He added that all “engagement guidelines” previously issued by the State Department under the authority of the secretary of state regarding relations with Taiwan should be considered null and void by all executive branch agencies.
“The U.S. government maintains relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and Taiwan is no exception. Our two democracies share common values of individual liberty, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity. Today’s statement recognizes that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship does not need to be, and should not be, bound by the self-imposed limitations of our permanent bureaucracy.”
The Taiwan Representative Office in the United States issued a press release Saturday saying that Secretary of State Pompeo’s announcement this day “reflects the strength and depth of the Taiwan-U.S. relationship, and my government sincerely welcomes the announcement of the lifting of restrictions on U.S.-Taiwan relations. In addition to expressing our appreciation to the State Department, the government would like to thank members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for their longstanding interest in U.S.-Taiwan relations, such as the recent passage of the Taiwan Reassurance Act, which encourages the executive branch to ease restrictions on U.S.-Taiwan relations. We look forward to the continued strengthening and growth of the U.S.-Taiwan partnership in the foreseeable future.
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