China threatens Trump as Texas politicians meet with Taiwan President

Photo courtesy Joe Barton.

Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) met with Tawain President Tsai Ing-wen on Sunday, January 8, 2017 in Houston amid complaints and threats from China to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

HOUSTON — Over the weekend Texas politicians met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen following threats of revenge from China to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, Chinese state-run Global Times, "warned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that China would "take revenge" if he reneged on the one-China policy, only hours after Taiwan's president made a controversial stopover in Houston."

The Global Times threatened U.S. ties with China if the U.S. did not honor a one-China point of view.

According to the Reuters article, "China had asked the United States not to allow Tsai to enter or have formal government meetings under the one China policy."

Click here to read the Reuters article.

Chinese media previously criticized Trump for accepting a phone call from President Tsai following his election victory. According to a Dec. 5, 2016 Reuters article, the "call was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China"."

Click here to read the Dec. 5, 2016 Reuters article.

Despite the threats, Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Texas Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) each met with Tsai this past Sunday.

Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) hosted Her Excellency, Tsai Ing-wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Houston, Texas on Saturday a press release from Barton's office stated.

Congressman Barton introduced President Tsai at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. The trip constituted the first visit by President Tsai to the United States since assuming office.

"Last fall, President Tsai graciously invited me to her home. I was grateful to return the favor in Texas. A continued, open dialogue between Taiwan and the United States will help advance both nations," stated Barton. "I thank President Tsai for visiting Texas and look forward to our continued friendship."

Gov. Abbott also met with President Tsai on Sunday according to a press release from Gov. Abbott's office.

"Governor Greg Abbott today met with Her Excellency, Tsai Ing-wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Houston to discuss energy, trade relations and commercial ties between Taiwan and the State of Texas. Governor Abbott and President Tsai discussed ways to increase trade relations with Taiwan, particularly in the exchange of natural gas and agricultural products, of which Taiwan is a major consumer," the press release stated.

The two exchanged gifts with Gov. Abbott giving President Tsai a clock bearing the Texas State Seal and President Tsai offer a Taiwanese vase.

"It was an honor to meet with President Tsai and discuss how our two economies can expand upon our already prosperous trade partnership," Abbott said. "Thanks to our favorable regulatory and legal climate, Texas remains and will continue to be a premier destination for Taiwanese businesses to expand and thrive. I look forward to strengthening Texas’ bond with Taiwan and continuing my dialogue with President Tsai to create even more opportunity and a better future for our citizens."

President Tsai stated, "Texas and Taiwan share longstanding relationship based on trade, investment, and tourism."

"In 2015, Taiwan was Texas’ 5th largest export market in Asia. Texas has attracted more than US$ 10 billion in investment from Taiwan companies, such as Formosa Plastics, Foxconn, Inventec, and Eva Air. The edge which Texas holds in energy, biotechnology, smart machinery, and defense industries overlaps with the 5 major innovative industries which my administration has been promoting in Taiwan. Therefore, I believe there will be more opportunities for both sides to work even closer in the future."

Cruz stated, "I was honored to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan today."

"We discussed our mutual opportunity to upgrade the stature of our bilateral relations in a wide-ranging discussion that addressed arms sales, diplomatic exchanges, and economic relations. Furthering economic cooperation between our two nations must be a priority; increased access to Taiwanese markets will benefit Texas farmers, ranchers and small business owners alike."

President Tsai's meetings with Texas politicians did not go without China disapproving.

"Shortly before our meeting, the Houston congressional delegation received a curious letter from the Chinese consulate asking members of Congress not to meet with President Tsai, and to uphold the ‘One-China policy’," Cruz stated.

"The People’s Republic of China needs to understand that in America we make decisions about meeting with visitors for ourselves. This is not about the PRC. This is about the U.S. relationship with Taiwan, an ally we are legally bound to defend. The Chinese do not give us veto power over those with whom they meet. We will continue to meet with anyone, including the Taiwanese, as we see fit."

Cruz stated that U.S. relations with Taiwan are not up for negotiation.

"The US-Taiwan relationship is not on the negotiating table. It is bound in statute and founded on common interests. I look forward to working with President Tsai to strengthen our partnership," Cruz said.