WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mitt Romney (R-UT), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Marco Rubio (R-FL.) in introducing the Taiwan Deterrence Act, which would bolster deterrence across the Taiwan Strait and strengthen Taiwan’s ability to defend against Chinese aggression and coercion.
“As former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I prioritized strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance to advance the vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. A free and democratic Taiwan is critical to realizing that vision, and the United States should work with our allies and partners to push back against the Chinese Communist Party’s malign behavior and aggressive threats against Taiwan,” said Senator Hagerty. “This legislation is imperative to maintaining the United States’ posture toward Communist China by supporting our allies in the region and helping them build up and maintain their defenses.”
“The defense of Taiwan is critical to the future peace and security of the entire Indo-Pacific region,” said Senator Risch. “This legislation authorizes $2 billion a year in Foreign Military Financing for Taiwan, but it is not a blank check. This funding is contingent on Taiwan’s commitment to further advance initiatives championed by President Tsai to build a credible defense. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, the executive branch, and Taiwan on our shared vital interests in the Indo-Pacific.”
This legislation:
- Authorizes $2 billion a year for Taiwan in Foreign Military Financing, subject to Taiwan meeting certain conditions;
- Amends the Arms Export Control Act to better facilitate arms transfers to Taiwan; and
- Requires an annual assessment on Taiwan’s efforts to advance a credible defense strategy vis-à-vis China.
Full text of the Taiwan Deterrence Act can be found here.