Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., led a bipartisan group in introducing the bipartisan Transpacific Allies Investing in Weapons to Advance National (TAIWAN) Security Act along with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska. The bill aims to fortify Taiwan and its supply chain as it continues to face military threats from China. The goal of the measure is to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Taiwan while preemptively addressing any supply chain and readiness challenges it may face. Specifically, the bill would require Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to “appropriately consider” enhanced defense industrial base cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan. It is a bicameral bill, with a House version also introduced by Reps. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., and Steven Horsford, D-Nev.
Sen. Rosen emphasized the importance of deepening the United States’ defense ties with Taiwan, enhancing supply chain resilience, and helping increase Taiwan’s military readiness as China continues its military buildup and aggression towards the island. The bipartisan effort also includes other senators like Tim Kaine, Rick Scott, Tammy Duckworth, and Joni Ernst, who all voiced their support for the bill. Republican Sen. Rick Scott warned against sitting back and letting China invade Taiwan, stressing the importance of supporting the democratic ally and its military.
Following months of disagreement between Democrats and Republicans, a $95 billion foreign aid supplemental package was passed and signed into law by President Biden to support Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The package included $8 billion to strengthen Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific against Chinese threats. China responded to the foreign aid passage with strong objections, promising to take “resolute and forceful steps” to defend itself. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused the U.S. of violating the “One China” principle by providing military aid to Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, and suggested the package emboldens “Taiwan independence separatist forces.”
An admiral in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee about China’s aggressive military buildup, stating that China is preparing to be “ready to invade Taiwan by 2027.” This statement highlights the urgency of fortifying Taiwan and its supply chain against potential threats from China. The passage of the foreign aid package to support Taiwan, along with Israel and Ukraine, demonstrates a bipartisan effort to strengthen U.S. allies in the face of growing military tensions and aggression in the region. The bipartisan legislation introduced by Sen. Rosen and Sen. Sullivan is part of this broader effort to enhance defense ties with Taiwan and bolster its military readiness.
