Taiwanese President Lai has phone talks from Guam with US Congress leaders

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has held phone calls with U.S. congressional leaders while visiting Guam. Lai said in post on social media that he had spoken with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to discuss security and economic cooperation. The post said he also spoke with U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. China considers Taiwan a renegade province and opposes any official interaction between the self-governing island’s government and the United States. Lai told Guam lawmakers that Taiwan and Guam should become a crucial force in defending freedom and democracy in the region.