The US Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair and Republican federal congressman Andy Barr wrote to the media, stating that Taiwan’s defense cooperation is crucial for US national security and economy.
Barr penned an article on June 13th for the Lexington Herald Leader, mentioning his recent visit to Taiwan as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation composed of members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. This marked the first visit by a US delegation to Taiwan since President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Mei-chin took office in Taiwan on May 20th.
Barr emphasized that this visit to Taiwan was not a routine diplomatic mission but a deliberate demonstration of the unwavering commitment of the US to Taiwan amidst escalating tensions with China.
Despite Beijing’s strong calls for the US to cease its support for Taiwanese democracy and the Chinese military conducting the “joint sword A” military exercises involving 111 aircraft and 53 naval vessels in the vicinity of Taiwan before the US delegation arrived, Barr highlighted that the delegation proceeded with the visit.
This visit comes at a time of increasing pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Taiwan, with Chinese aircraft entering Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone on an almost daily basis, Chinese navy and coast guard regularly crossing the median line in the Taiwan Strait, and unmanned combat drones approaching or circling Taiwan.
The bipartisan message that the US seeks to convey is crystal clear: the US unequivocally supports Taiwan militarily, diplomatically, and economically in countering CCP aggression.
Barr stressed that the strategic importance of Taiwan cannot be underestimated, describing Taiwan as a mature democracy with a high standard of living and the 8th largest trading partner of the US. He also highlighted Taiwan’s capability as a security partner in swiftly countering the growing Chinese aggression.
Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductor chips, crucial for technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and future innovations.
Barr further noted that over 75,000 Americans visit Taiwan daily, and about half of the global container fleet passes through the Taiwan Strait each year.
Secretary-General of the National Security Council of the Republic of China Wu Zhaoxie emphasized to the US delegation that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would cost the global economy approximately $10 trillion, surpassing the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2008 global financial crisis.
CIA Director William Burns stated last year that Xi Jinping directed the Chinese military to be ready to successfully invade Taiwan by 2027. Barr highlighted the critical importance of US security assistance to Taiwan, especially amidst rising isolationism in both the Republican and Democratic parties and the US national debt reaching $34 trillion.
The catastrophic impact of a blockade or invasion of Taiwan by the CCP is clear. The global trade system would collapse within hours, and Taiwan’s leading semiconductor manufacturer TSMC would shut down immediately.
On a positive note, the US Congress has bipartisan support for deepening US-Taiwan relations, strengthening deterrence, and continuing to develop the Taiwan Relations Act. The Taiwan Relations Act authorizes the US to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.
Barr cited the passage of the “Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act” by the US Congress last year, authorizing Taiwan to purchase US weapons through foreign military aid. The Congress recently enacted the “Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act,” providing $2 billion in foreign military aid to Taiwan and other key Indo-Pacific allies and security partners facing CCP aggression.
Barr concluded by emphasizing the need for the US to maintain its steadfast commitment to Taiwan in dealing with the complex geopolitical landscape. He stated that regional security and stability are not only crucial for the Taiwanese people but also for the global economy and international order. Barr advocated for strengthening the US-Taiwan partnership, upholding shared values, ensuring that freedom and democracy prevail against authoritarian threats, and asserted that Taiwan’s future is intertwined with global stability and security.
(Translated from Central News Agency)