There’s no relationship between two countries on Earth quite like that between the United States and Taiwan. The island nation is America’s ninth-largest trading partner and one of the main global customers for U.S. arms exports. As containing China’s regional ambitions has become a guiding aim of U.S. policy in East Asia, the defense of Taiwan, with its strategically vital location, has only grown in importance. As a now-consolidated democracy, Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support in Washington, and its remarkably successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has only boosted its public image.
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But for all that support, official U.S. policy does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation.
As Virus Surges, Pence Ghosts White House Task Force Photo by Gage Skidmore/ CC BY-SA 2.0
Coronavirus cases have reached a frightening new peak, but Vice President Mike Pence, head of the White House coronavirus task force, has reportedly been missing in any meaningful capacity from leadership for weeks.
American deaths now sit at more than 241,000, according to the New York Times. More than 1,000 deaths a day were reported over the last seven days, including 1,400 deaths on Tuesday alone.
But a new CNN report notes that Pence has dropped the ball as cases mounted and election chaos has reigned.
According to the outlet, Pence previously led a task force conference call with state governors once a week, but Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has helmed the task force calls on Oct. 13 and Oct. 30. Pence hasn t led one since Sept. 29.
For independent pharmacies, providing COVID-19 vaccine can be a vial of tears and troubles But this Montco drugstore has no regrets inquirer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from inquirer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmin Fiorini, a sailor assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego, vaccinates a volunteering service member in December. The medical center and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton were selected to receive the first doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine based on recommendations from the military services and U.S. Coast Guard.
Navy via The Associated Press
The Associated Press