French President Emmanuel Macron has sought to enlist China’s help in the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, this has raised red flags amongst American lawmakers. Given the growing tension between Taiwan and China, Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R) is scolding Macron’s "carelessness" with Taiwan.
Diaz-Balart and Utah Rep. Chris Stewart (R) have issued a letter to President Macron regarding recent comments on China. Taking to social media to share the letter, Diaz-Balart argued that they’re “expressing outrage regarding his [Macron] recent comments expressing carelessness in ensuring the security & survival of a free and democratic Taiwan, as it faces an escalating, existential threat from the CCP.”
The Florida Republican cited Macron’s comments wherein he said that “the worst thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and take our cue from the U.S. agenda.”
My colleague, @RepChrisStewart, & I sent a letter to @EmmanuelMacron, expressing outrage regarding his recent comments expressing carelessness in ensuring the security & survival of a free and democratic #Taiwan, as it faces an escalating, existential threat from the CCP.… pic.twitter.com/RdBqeybKbq
— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) April 24, 2023
The United States has maintained its support for Taiwan, and this has only made the relationship between the U.S. and China grow more tense.
Calling Taiwan “a reliable and responsible actor on the world stage for decades,” the lawmakers add that “despite its small size, Taiwan has contributed to global stability and prosperity with technological advancements, democracy and humanitarian assistance worldwide, and support for global health.”
Macron issued the comments after a three-day visit to China where he met with Xi Jinping. He further commented on his talk with Jinping, saying that they had been useful in addressing “complacency on the part of China with regard to China.”
Diaz-Balart and Stewart called Macron’s “indifference to Taiwan’s freedom and security… jolting,” adding that “the worst thing would be for Communist China to be emboldened by feckless officials who fail to appreciate the central issue at hand: the fundamental right of the people of Taiwan to be free and our responsibility to support them.”
