A group of US senators has put forward proposals for a Taiwan Deterrence Act that would set aside US$2 billion a year to strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities. Senator Jim Risch, the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the bill on Thursday with the support of Republican colleagues.
In a statement published on the committee’s website, Risch says the defense of Taiwan is “critical to the future peace and security of the entire Indo-Pacific region”. Risch says the yearly funding would not be “a blank check”, but would depend on Taiwan’s commitment to building a credible defense.
Along with putting aside military funding for Taiwan, the bill would amend the Arms Export Control Act to make it easier to sell weapons to Taiwan. It would also require an annual report on Taiwan’s progress in developing its self-defense capabilities.
The foreign ministry has welcomed news of the proposed legislation. Spokesperson Joanne Ou says the ministry is grateful for the bipartisan concern expressed by members of the US Congress towards maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Ou says the ministry will continue to monitor future developments in the bill’s passage through Congress and work to strengthen US-Taiwan ties.