US says China is trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan

June 25, 2026

China has been contacting US states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising US policy, but links with Taiwan should be expanded, three US government departments have said in joint letters.

The US is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing, which claims the independently ruled island as its territory.

The two letters from US Departments of State, Agriculture, and Commerce, one addressed to governor's offices and one to CEOs and business leaders, are dated Jun 16 but were released by the de facto US embassy in Taiwan late on Wednesday.

Similarly worded, the letters say that China's embassy and consulates regularly contact local government offices or private business in the US to "discourage engagement with Taiwan".