Taiwan VP-elect Urges US Support for Defense Supply Chain Integration Amid China Threats

Taiwan's Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim has called on the United States Congress and business leaders to support Taiwan's inclusion in the US defense supply chain. In a pre-recorded video speech at the Hill and Valley Forum 2024 on May 1, Hsiao emphasized the critical importance of international collaboration for global prosperity and security.

Why this matters: The integration of Taiwan into the US defense supply chain has significant implications for regional stability and global security, as it could counterbalance China's growing military ambitions. A strengthened defense partnership between the US and Taiwan could also have a ripple effect, influencing the dynamics of international relations and security alliances in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hsiao highlighted Taiwan's irreplaceable contribution to global technology advancements. "Taiwan is an irreplaceable and indispensable contributor to global technology advancements," Hsiao stated, noting that over half of global maritime commerce passes through the Taiwan Strait and that Taiwan provides advanced chips and components for iPhones and AI-empowering data centers worldwide.

Despite facing challenges such as cyber attacks, disinformation, and maritime incursions, Hsiao stressed that Taiwan remains steadfast under coercion. She criticized the US's slowness in producing and delivering weapons, warning that Russia and China are closely observing the war in Ukraine.

Expressing optimism about future US cooperation, Hsiao touted Taiwan's technological capabilities. "Together, we can manufacture nearly everything as efficiently and reliably as anyone in the world," she stated. Hsiao specifically called for Taiwan's inclusion in the Department of Defense's National Defense Industrial Strategy international collaboration mechanism, such as Security of Supply Arrangements.

In a related development, a bipartisan bill, the Transpacific Allies Investing in Weapons to Advance National (TAIWAN) Security Act, has been introduced in the US Congress to fortify Taiwan's defense and supply chain amid military threats from China. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), aims to strengthen ties between the US and Taiwan, enhance supply chain resilience, and increase Taiwan's military readiness.

"As China ramps up its military buildup and aggression towards Taiwan, we must not only ensure our strength, but also bolster the strength of our democratic ally, Taiwan," Sen. Rosen emphasized. The bill requires Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to "appropriately consider" enhanced defense industrial base cooperation between the US and Taiwan.

A House version of the bill has been introduced by Reps. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) and Steven Horsford (D-Nev.). Additionally, a $95 billion foreign aid supplemental package, which includes $8 billion to strengthen Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific against Chinese threats, was passed and signed into law by President Biden.

China has spoken out against the foreign aid passage, promising to take "resolute and forceful steps" to defend itself. An admiral in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has testified that China is preparing to be "ready to invade Taiwan by 2027" with an "aggressive military buildup".

As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to escalate, the calls for increased US support and cooperation with Taiwan have grown louder. Hsiao Bi-khim's speech and the bipartisan efforts in Congress highlight the urgency of strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities and integrating it into the US defense supply chain. The outcome of these efforts will have significant implications for regional stability and global security in the face of China's growing military ambitions.

Key Takeaways

• Taiwan's VP-elect Hsiao Bi-khim urges US Congress and business leaders to support Taiwan's inclusion in the US defense supply chain.
• Taiwan's integration into the US defense supply chain could counterbalance China's growing military ambitions and impact regional stability.
• Hsiao highlights Taiwan's critical role in global technology advancements, including chip production and maritime commerce.
• A bipartisan bill, the TAIWAN Security Act, aims to strengthen Taiwan's defense and supply chain amid Chinese threats.
• China has spoken out against US support for Taiwan, promising to take "resolute and forceful steps" to defend itself.