US military bill features up to $10 billion to boost Taiwan
The United States Congress is expected to start voting as soon as Wednesday on a massive military policy bill including authorization of up to 10 billion dollar in security assistance and fast-tracked weapons procurement for Taiwan, as China exerts pressure on the democratically governed island.
China considers Taiwan its territory and has never renounced using force to bring it under its control. China responded angrily when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved broader Taiwan legislation in September despite concerns within US President Joe Biden's administration that the bill could go too far in heightening tensions with China.
The Senate and House Armed Services committees unveiled the NDAA late on Tuesday. The 858 billion dollar military policy bill is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law this month.
The 'Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act' included in the NDAA authorizes appropriations for military grant assistance for Taiwan up to 2 billion dollar per year from 2023 through 2027, if the US secretary of state certifies that Taiwan increased its defense spending.
It also includes a new foreign military financing loan guarantee authority and other measures to fast-track Taiwan's arms procurement, as well as creation of a new training program to improve Taiwan's defense.
'Taiwan's democracy remains the beating heart to our Indo-Pacific strategy, and the depth and strength of our commitment to the people of Taiwan is stronger than ever,' said Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the foreign relations committee and sponsor of the Taiwan legislation.
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