Dear John,

On Tuesday, the entire world watched with anticipation as the US Speaker of the House, a heartbeat away from the presidency, touched down in Taiwan with blatant disregard for longstanding US-China agreements as well as direct warnings from the Chinese government. Even President Biden and the Pentagon advised against the trip, understanding the serious risk she posed to US-China relations.

Luckily, it’s not too late—tell your members of Congress the only way to stop war is to keep it from starting!

As China, the US, and Taiwan all undergo military preparations, it’s important to understand how we got here: the United States has been waging a hybrid war on China for years. On top of trade wars and sanctions, the United States has also surrounded the world’s most populous country with military bases throughout the Pacific, Oceania, and Central Asia. Meanwhile, China operates just one overseas military base, nowhere near the US. 

Now, Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan further exacerbates tensions and brings us closer to war. While Chinese media has called the trip a “blatant provocation,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry itself also described Pelosi’s actions as “playing with fire.” China has clearly drawn its red line, and the United States has crossed it.

Where have we seen this before? After the US spent years ignoring Russia’s warnings, expanding NATO and propping up pro-Western governments in Eastern Europe, Russia's invasion of Ukraine came as an unsurprising, yet unbearable tragedy. Now, we find ourselves stuck pouring billions of dollars into a proxy war over military and economic dominance in Eastern Europe, while Nancy Pelosi puts us on the same track in Asia.

We must take the path of cooperation for the people and the planet now! Contact Congress!

This war is a threat to the lives of millions in Taiwan, China, the US, and around the world. We’ve already seen how the war in Ukraine has had devastating global impacts. From fuel shortages to famine, working-class people around the world have shouldered heavy costs of the war while thousands in Ukraine continue to die in combat. On top of this, the environmental and health-related impacts of the war will play out for decades to come.

All of this is without mentioning the deadly impact warmongering abroad has on populations here at home. Since the US has ramped up anti-China rhetoric in recent years, we’ve already seen rising hate crimes against Asian people in the United States. From World War I to the War on Terror, there is no doubt that belligerence abroad emboldens white supremacy at home.

Tell your member of Congress to publicly stand for peace!

We can’t afford another war. Save the people and the planet!

Towards peace,
The entire CODEPINK team