Rubio Raises Taiwan Concerns in Talk with China

In his first phone call as U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio expressed serious concerns to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about Beijing's coercive actions towards Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to its allies and stated that the administration would pursue a relationship with China that advances U.S. interests. Wang countered by urging the U.S. to handle the Taiwan issue carefully and reiterated that China would not allow Taiwan to separate from the mainland. Both officials emphasized the importance of finding a constructive path forward in U.S.-China relations, with Rubio stating that the U.S. does not support Taiwanese independence. This dialogue signals a potentially turbulent phase in U.S.-China relations, given Rubio's hawkish stance on China. Additionally, Rubio's recent order to pause most U.S. foreign aid for review has raised concerns regarding its impact on aid to Taiwan and other partners.