Tensions rise as U.S. officials meet with Taiwan's president despite China's warnings.

The upcoming meeting between Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has put the Biden administration on alert for China's potential backlash. China may respond with harsh objections, sanctions, or even military force. The U.S. intelligence community believes that Beijing will view the meeting as less provocative than Pelosi's visit to Taiwan and will refrain from extreme aggression. However, the situation's volatility underscores the uncertainty of how China will react. McCarthy's meeting with Tsai will occur on U.S. soil against the backdrop of a hotly contested presidential election in Taipei and heightened tension between Beijing and Washington.