House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will reportedly meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in the US in the coming weeks.
The Speaker had previously expressed an interest in travelling to Taipei, a move his Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi made in August 2022 - much to the chagrin of Beijing, which responded to her visit with a series of military exercises, including firing missiles over Taiwan.
Instead of a visit, which could further antagonise China, Mr McCarthy has agreed to meet Ms Tsai in the US, two sources told Reuters on Monday.
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People walk past a billboard welcoming US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Taipei, Taiwan. AP -
A US military aircraft carrying Ms Pelosi makes its descent at Songshan Airport in Taipei. AFP -
Supporters outside Songshan Airport welcome Ms Pelosi. Bloomberg -
Ms Pelosi is visiting Taiwan as part of a tour of Asia aimed at reassuring allies in the region. Getty Images -
A Taipei 101 skyscraper message welcomes Ms Pelosi to Taiwan. EPA -
Ms Pelosi is greeted by Joseph Wu, Taiwan's foreign minister, at Songshan Airport. EPA / Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
Ms Pelosi poses for a group photo with Mr Wu and other officials on the tarmac. EPA / Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
Ms Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to visit the island in 25 years. Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AP -
Ms Pelosi poses with members of her delegation and Taiwanese officials. AP -
Police officers stand outside the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Bloomberg -
Police officers await a convoy carrying Ms Pelosi outside the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Bloomberg -
Police officers await a convoy carrying Ms Pelosi. Bloomberg -
Throngs of media wait outside the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Bloomberg -
The convoy carrying Ms Pelosi arrives at the Grand Hyatt. Bloomberg -
People hope to take a photo of Ms Pelosi's arrival outside the hotel. Reuters -
Supporters gathered outside the Grand Hyatt welcome Ms Pelosi. Bloomberg -
Demonstrators show their support for Ms Pelosi's visit. Reuters -
The Taipei 101 building lit up with a message reading 'TW hearts US'. Bloomberg -
Demonstrators in Taipei show their support of the US as Ms Pelosi arrives. Reuters -
Not everyone in Taipei is thrilled by Ms Pelosi's visit. AP
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ms Tsai had been invited to speak at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library during a transit through California on a planned visit to Central America, and that Mr McCarthy was likely to meet her in the US.
A delegation of members of the US Congress, which met Ms Tsai in Taipei in August last year, promised to strengthen military co-operation between Washington and Taiwan.
The Financial Times first reported the plans to meet in California, which is Mr McCarthy's home state.
During a CNBC interview earlier on Monday, Mr McCarthy declined to answer whether he would visit Taiwan, saying he would announce any travel plans when he had them.
US Department of State Spokesman Ned Price said: “I'm not aware of any confirmed travel nor am I aware that our Taiwanese partners have announced any intention to travel.”
Mr McCarthy's office did not respond to The National's request for comment.
China views Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and views any engagement between American and Taiwanese officials as a breach of its sovereignty.
While the US does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Washington has maintained a close relationship with Taipei over the decades, a move that has frustrated China.
Reuters contributed to this report
