US trade chief Katherine Tai met Taiwanese Minister Without Portfolio John Deng to discuss opportunities to deepen the nations’ economic relationship in the same week China’s top diplomat warned Washington it’s heading down the “wrong road” with its support for the island. Bloomberg
Day: May 21, 2022
US, Taiwan trade officials discuss deepening relations
The United States’ top trade official has renewed efforts to deepen economic relations with Taiwan in a meeting with her Taiwanese counterpart, as Joe Biden began his first visit to Asia since taking office amid increasing competition with China. Aljazeera
Is China buying cheap Russian oil a ‘dangerous situation’
Retired two-star Marine Corps Gen. Arnold Punaro argues ‘we ought to seriously look at blocking the oil that would go to China and basically not allow them to beef up their reserves.’
China seeks more island security pacts to boost clout in Pacific
China is intensifying its drive for influence in the Pacific by negotiating security deals with two additional island nations following a pact with the Solomon Islands, according to officials in the US and allied countries. FT
China Makes Unexpected Rate Cut as Growth Crumbles
China’s central bank cut a key interest rate while keeping another unchanged, an unexpected policy shift that economists said would likely help the country’s moribund housing market but bring only limited relief to its struggling economy. Wallstreet Journal
Majority of adults would take up arms if China invaded
More than half of the adults in Taiwan would be willing to take up arms if China attacked the country, a survey conducted and released by the Association of Chinese Elite Leadership (ACEL) suggested Friday. Focustaiwan.tv
Survey Results
61.4% Willing to take up arms to defend Taiwan
25.1% Would Not
The ACEL poll was conducted from May 18-, targeting individuals aged 20 or older.
The poll received 1,073 valid samples, with interviews conducted via telephone, and has a margin of error of 2.98 percent, with a 95 percent level of confidence.