Pompeo: "Pelosi's Taiwan Visit, Risky if Changed... Bad Message to Allies Japan and South Korea"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joeslgina] Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State under the Donald Trump administration, openly criticized the Joe Biden administration for not supporting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

The political media outlet The Hill reported this on the 31st of last month (local time), citing an interview with former Secretary Pompeo on WABC77 radio in the U.S.

First, former Secretary Pompeo said, "I often do not agree with Speaker Pelosi's words, but she clearly expressed her desire to visit Taiwan, which is an independent sovereign state," adding, "However, the Biden administration is saying 'it may not be a wise idea.'" He continued, "Allowing the U.S. to be harassed by China's propaganda, especially right after a long call between the U.S. and Chinese leaders, would send a really bad message to regional allies such as Australia, South Korea, and Japan."

Additionally, former Secretary Pompeo expressed uncertainty about whether Speaker Pelosi would actually visit Taiwan, emphasizing, "If that plan changes, it would be a truly dangerous matter." Earlier, right after news broke that Speaker Pelosi was pushing for a Taiwan visit, he tweeted, "Nancy, I will go with you," adding, "I am banned from entering China, but not freedom-loving Taiwan. See you there."

On that day, former Secretary Pompeo also pointed out that during the Trump administration, there was absolutely no threat of U.S. planes being shot down, saying, "I do not think China has the same respect for the U.S. and the U.S. president as it did 18 to 19 months ago (before President Biden took office)."

Speaker Pelosi confirmed plans to visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan in a statement that day but did not mention whether she would visit Taiwan, which has become a hot issue in recent U.S.-China relations. If Pelosi, who is third in the U.S. presidential line of succession, visits Taiwan, she would be the highest-ranking official to do so since 1997. Previously, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich led a delegation to visit Taiwan in 1997 during the Bill Clinton administration.

China has strongly opposed the news of the planned Taiwan visit since it was announced. Some reports suggested that the Chinese military might deploy fighter jets to block or interfere with Speaker Pelosi's aircraft landing in Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Joe Biden during a phone call, saying, "If you play with fire, you will get burned."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.