The Taiwanese leader is on a 10-day diplomatic trip to South and Central America that includes transit through the US. Beijing grew concerned about her plans to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during a stop in Los Angeles.
"This transit is consistent with our long-standing unofficial relationship with Taiwan and it is consistent with the United States One China policy, which remains unchanged. Taiwan's decision to make these transits based on their own travel - transits are not travel, they are private and unofficial," Kirby said at a press briefing.