If the news bipartisan legislation US senators introduced on Friday passes the floor, Taiwan would become a major non-NATO ally and receive close to $4.5 billion in security aid over the next four years.
As China steps up its threats against the island, the aim of the news legislation is to send Beijing a clear message not to repeat the same mistakes with Taiwan that Vladimir Putin has made in Ukraine.
The Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 was introduced in light of Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe’s last week’s threats that his country will not hesitate to start a war and destroy Taiwan, the Democrat Bob Menendez, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, and GOP Senator Lindsey Graham underlined.
According to the two senators, the bill providing the aid is the most comprehensive restructuring of US policy towards Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 when then-President Jimmy Carter acknowledged China’s One China policy and severed the normal ties with Taiwan.
Pointing out that Washington could give Taiwan defensive arms, the Congress passed later the same year the Taiwan Relations Act.
Senator Menendez warned Beijing against invading Taiwan after Russia invaded Ukraine with implicit support from Beijing and the landmark bill that he created with Sen. Graham envisions imposing steep costs and setting up sanctions regime against Beijing for any hostile action against Taiwan to deter China’s aggression.
Pointing out that China is sizing up the US and its commitment to Taiwan, Senator Graham underscored that the bill would allow for the most significant expansion of military and economic ties between Washington and Taiwan.
Additionally, he warned that if the US shows weakness in the face of Chinese threats and aggression toward Taiwan, the danger will only grow worse.
Both Menendez and Graham headed a congressional delegation (CODEL) earlier this year to Japan, Australia, and Taiwan where they’ve met with the island’s top officials, including Taiwan’s president, foreign minister, and defense minister.
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