U.S. state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reaffirmed that Taiwanese officials have the right to transit through the U.S. and its territories while responding to a question at a press briefing. President Lai Ching-te will reportedly stop over in the U.S. on his way to visit allies in Central and South America next month. Lai previously transited through Hawaii last year.
00:00The U.S. State Department says it's U.S. policy to allow Taiwanese officials to make stopovers in the country.
00:07Transits of the United States by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are again in line with past practice and fully consistent with our long-standing policy.
00:18And such transits are undertaken with consideration for the safety, comfort, convenience and dignity of the passenger.
00:26Bruce was responding to a question about how Taiwan President Lai Qingda's reported stopovers in the U.S. might impact Washington's upcoming talks with Beijing.
00:37U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon.
00:42Lai is expected to visit allies in Central and South America in August.
00:47He transited in the U.S. state of Hawaii during a previous international trip last year.
