00:00Washington has pushed back against China's attempt to diplomatically isolate Taiwan from
00:06its remaining allies. The U.S. State Department condemns Beijing's latest sanctions against
00:11officials from Belize and Paraguay, two of Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic allies.
00:17The dispute also underscores Washington's concerns over Beijing's growing influence
00:22in Latin America. The Trump administration said it opposes the coercion and aggression by China
00:28against countries for exercising their sovereign rights. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson
00:34said in response that the U.S. should stop sending the wrong signals to Taiwan's separatist forces.
00:40The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
00:47Washington has been concerned not only by Beijing's effort to win over Taiwan's remaining allies,
00:53but also by attempts to increase its influence in Latin America.
00:56Nauru, a Pacific island nation, becomes the latest country to end formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan
01:02in 2024. Honduras has ended its long-standing ties with Taiwan and switches diplomatic recognition
01:09to China back in 2023.
