Tensions between China and the United States are ballooning beyond the ongoing trade war on a new front over El Salvador’s decision to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, with the White House warning it will “affect the economic health and security of the entire Americas region”. Assoc Prof Li Mingjiang at the RSIS in Singapore, said Washington was becoming increasingly anxious about Taiwan, and its latest use of “threatening language” would serve as veiled coercion against Taipei.