The United States has condemned what it described as Chinese coercion against countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan, following Beijing’s decision to sanction ministers from Belize and Paraguay.
The dispute highlights Washington’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence in Latin America, where Beijing has sought to persuade Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners to switch recognition to China. It also underscores the wider geopolitical competition surrounding Taiwan, whose international standing remains a major point of contention between Washington and Beijing.
Paraguay and Belize are among just 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claim and maintains that the island’s future must be determined by its people.
Washington Accuses Beijing of Coercion
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Trump administration opposed China’s use of pressure against countries exercising their sovereign rights.
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“The Trump administration opposes coercion and aggression by China against countries in our hemisphere for exercising their sovereign rights,” Pigott said in a statement.
He also referred to previous remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who warned that Washington would not allow the Western Hemisphere to become a base for rival powers seeking to threaten American security or undermine US partnerships.
Pigott added that the United States stood with its partners, including Taiwan, to promote shared prosperity, security and democratic values.
The response reflects Washington’s broader concern that Beijing’s diplomatic and economic influence in Latin America could weaken longstanding US partnerships and expand China’s strategic presence in the region.
Why China Sanctioned Belizean and Paraguayan Officials
Beijing imposed sanctions on officials from Belize and Paraguay over their ties to Taiwan, although the measures are largely symbolic because officials from Taiwan’s diplomatic partners generally do not travel to China.
China has previously imposed similar restrictions on foreign politicians who support Taiwan’s international participation or challenge Beijing’s position on the island.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson responded to Washington’s criticism by urging the United States to stop sending what Beijing described as the wrong signals to Taiwanese separatist forces.
The exchange reflects the fundamental disagreement between the two powers over Taiwan’s status. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, while Washington supports Taiwan’s security and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but remains its most important international security partner.
Taiwan Warns of Expanding Chinese Pressure
Taiwanese officials have accused Beijing of extending its pressure campaign beyond the island to countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Taipei.
Speaking to reporters at Taiwan’s parliament on Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi described the sanctions as an example of what he called transnational repression.
“Taiwan’s international visibility is growing higher and higher, and they will be kept busy by this fact,” Chen said, referring to Beijing’s efforts to restrict Taiwan’s diplomatic presence. He also questioned whether China intended to sanction countries across the world.
Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai separately argued that Beijing had no right to interfere in the domestic affairs or diplomatic decisions of sovereign states. He also pledged to resist what he described as the expansion of authoritarianism and hegemony.
Taipei views its remaining diplomatic relationships as important to maintaining international visibility and challenging Beijing’s efforts to isolate the island.
China’s Competition for Taiwan’s Remaining Allies
China has intensified efforts to persuade Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners to establish formal relations with Beijing instead.
The number of countries recognising Taiwan diplomatically has declined over the years as Beijing has expanded its economic and political influence. Nauru switched recognition from Taiwan to China in 2024, while Honduras severed its longstanding diplomatic ties with Taipei in 2023.
For Washington, the latest dispute extends beyond Taiwan itself. China’s growing presence in Latin America has become an increasingly important strategic concern, particularly as Beijing develops closer political and economic relationships with governments across the region.
The sanctions against Belizean and Paraguayan officials could therefore deepen tensions between Washington and Beijing over diplomatic recognition, regional influence and Taiwan’s international status.
The immediate measures may have limited practical consequences, but the dispute illustrates how competition over Taiwan is increasingly playing out far beyond East Asia. Whether China’s pressure persuades additional countries to abandon Taipei, or instead strengthens resistance among its remaining partners, will shape the island’s diplomatic position in the months ahead.
With information from Reuters.
