TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Senator Marsha Blackburn threatened to remove South Africa from a US trade agreement if it continues to pressure Taiwan into moving its representative office.
In a post on X, Blackburn said, “The United States must stand with Taiwan and stand up to South Africa.” She added, "As I previously stated, if South Africa works with the CCP to bully Taiwan, the United States must consider serious consequences, including removal of South Africa from the AGOA trade program."
Blackburn also stressed that, "The United States must not provide trade benefits to countries that prioritize China’s influence over democratic partnerships."
On Oct. 7, the South African government demanded the Taipei Liaison Office vacate its location in Pretoria by the end of the month. However, on Oct. 29, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健) said that, after continuous efforts, South Africa had shown a willingness to negotiate.
In late January, South Africa again demanded that the office be moved and set the end of March as the deadline. MOFA said South Africa has attempted to downgrade the representative office and recategorize it as a trade office.
The ministry said that the new demand amid negotiations “shows China’s suppression of Taiwan in South Africa has intensified.”
The ministry reiterated that Taiwan rejects South Africa’s unilateral breach of bilateral agreements. The ministry said Taiwan will continue to communicate with South Africa based on the principles of equality and dignity.
Blackburn previously visited Taiwan in August 2022. At the time, MOFA noted that she was a member of the Senate Taiwan Caucus and had been a strong supporter of Taiwan since assuming office in the US Congress, per CNA.
She has repeatedly co-signed letters advocating a US-Taiwan trade agreement, promoting Mandarin education cooperation, and supporting Taiwan’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
She has also introduced multiple pro-Taiwan bills in Congress, including the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act in February 2020 and the Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act in July 2022, per CNA. The latter sought to authorize the US president to provide military assistance to strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities through a lend-lease mechanism.
