US lawmaker proposes Bill seeking $3 billion to boost Taiwan's arsenal to deter China

US Representative Mike Gallagher has introduced a Bill aimed at increasing Taiwan’s asymmetric defence capabilities in a bid to protect against China’s military aggression. According to press release, under proposed Arm Taiwan Act 2021, United States would enhance Taiwan’s defences against a Chinese invasion by allocating $3 billion every year for a “Taiwan Security Assistance Initiative”. It would also make Taiwan’s progress in preparing its military and fielding weapons required to deter a possible attack by China a condition for conventional arms sales to nation. 

“General Secretary [Chinese President] Xi Jinping has me unification of Taiwan with mainland, by force if necessary, a key part of his legacy, and CCP [Chinese Communist Party] is only growing more aggressive watching [US President Joe] Biden ministration’s weakness in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran,” Mike Gallagher said.

“Congress needs to step up to restore deterrence before it is too late. I am proud to join Senator Hawley in introducing Arm Taiwan Act to provide Taiwan with necessary resources and weapons to defeat an attempted invasion," he ded.

Back in November 2021, US Senator Josh Hawley h introduced a similar bill. act urges US Secretary of Defence to form Taiwan Security Assistance Initiative to accelerate nation’s deployment of asymmetric defence capabilities necessary to delay, degre and deny a possible Chinese invasion. It would also authorise US Defence Department $3 billion annually for initiative for fiscal years 2023 to 2027. 

According to bill, funding would be conditional on annual certification that Taiwan was matching US investments in asymmetric defences, increasing defence spending, acquiring asymmetric defence capabilities as quickly as possible and implementing defence reforms, especially with regard to reserve forces. It said that if People’s Republic of China (PRC) were to inve and seize control of Taiwan, it would deal a severe blow to US interests by destroying one of world’s leing democracies. 

It ded that if PRC were to inve Taiwan, it would cast doubt on ability and resolve of US to uphold its security commitments. It would also incentivize or countries in Indo-Pacific region to bandwagon with People’s Republic of China, and facilitate formation of a regional order dominated by People’s Republic of China, bill said. 

Tensions over Taiwan

Meanwhile, ‘Arm Taiwan Act of 2021’ comes amid a surge in Chinese military threats and warning by US and Taiwanese officials that China may try to inve island in next few years. military balance in Taiwan Strait is rapidly deteriorating, resulting in growing concern that China may conclude that it can, or actually be able to, inve and seize control of island in forthcoming future. On or hand, US and China have remained geopolitical rivals for deces and relations between m have furr frayed due to Beijing's aggressive claims of sovereignty along South China Sea fuelled by Chinese engagement in testing high-tech projectiles.