The US is ready to consider sending its military to Taiwan if China invades, said Michael McCall, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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“If China invades Taiwan, this option will be on the agenda, will be discussed by Congress and the American people, are they ready for this, is Taiwan worth it,” McCall said.
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If the American people support the use of US forces to defend the island, he said, Congress will follow suit.
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McCall has been in Taiwan with a delegation of US lawmakers since Wednesday. The visit follows a meeting in California between Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. At a press conference following those talks, McCarthy was asked if the US was prepared to send troops to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, saying he didn’t want to ever have to answer the question.
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China traditionally reacts negatively to foreign contacts of representatives of the Taiwanese administration, considering the island as its province. Washington urges Beijing to refrain from excessive retaliation.