TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US House Select Committee on China Chair John Moolenaar met with Taiwan’s ambassador to Guatemala, Vivia Chang (張俊菲), during his recent trip to the country.
On Wednesday, the US Embassy in Guatemala posted a photo of Moolenaar and Chang on X, saying that the meeting “strengthens joint efforts to counter the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party in Central America.”
In an X post, Moolenaar called Guatemala “one of Taiwan’s strongest allies in Central America.” “For years, China has used economic leverage to try to pull Guatemala away from Taiwan, but Guatemala has been steadfast in its support,” he said. His delegation also met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and his cabinet members to discuss how to counter Chinese economic coercion.
Moolenaar helped introduce the Taiwan Allies Fund Act in 2024, which authorizes NT$3.8 billion (US$120 million) over three years to assist Taiwan’s allies and partners facing Chinese coercion.
“The United States must stand with those who stand with Taiwan,” Moolenaar said in a statement at the time.
In early February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to help Guatemala maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Rubio thanked the Central American nation for its ties with Taiwan. “It’s not easy in a world where there is a lot of pressure to change that recognition and to break those ties,” he said.
He said the US would “do everything we can” to help Guatemala uphold its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.
Later that month, Ambassador Chang said she was "very optimistic" about future cooperation with Guatemala, emphasizing that Taiwan would continue to strengthen bilateral ties. "Taiwan is a reliable partner for Guatemala, and Guatemala is also a reliable partner for Taiwan," she said.
With US support, a strategic alliance can be formed amongst the three countries that is based on shared values and human rights, Chang said.
