Speaker Kevin McCarthy became the highest-ranking US official to meet with a Taiwanese president on US soil in several decades amid rising tensions between China, the US, and Taiwan. McCarthy's meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen comes as Democrats and Republicans in the US openly display their support for Taiwan, while Chinese officials warn that the US is "playing with fire on the Taiwan question." Tsai's trip to the US comes in response to China's attempts to restrict its diplomatic partners and demonstrate Taiwan's ability to develop stronger ties with US allies. While President Tsai and Speaker McCarthy aim to showcase US bi-partisan support for Taiwan and pushback against Chinese coercion, military exercises, and international isolation of Taiwan, Beijing regards such a high-level meeting as an affront to their claim to the island. Despite the potential risks of escalating tensions with China, the meeting will establish a significant platform for both leaders to highlight US-Taiwan ties and express their shared commitment to democratic values.