Taipei: On the 19th of November, 2021, a congressional commission in the United States recommended a legislative amendment that would grant Taiwan the same arms sales privileges as NATO Plus nations.
In its comprehensive annual report, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) presented two key recommendations concerning Taiwan, with the primary proposal being an amendment to the Arms Export Control Act, as reported by Taiwan News.
This 793-page document delves into various subjects, including the dynamics of U.S.-China trade relations, security concerns, the status of Taiwan, and the situation in Hong Kong. Within the section dedicated to Taiwan, the report advocates for an amendment to the 1976 Arms Export Control Act to elevate Taiwan's status for military sales, aligning it with NATO Plus countries such as Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand.
According to the report, should this amendment be approved, the threshold for congressional approval of U.S. military sales to Taiwan would be raised to $25 million (NT$893 million), a significant increase from the existing $14 million threshold.
Furthermore, the report suggests the establishment of a "Taiwan Allies Fund" by the U.S. Congress. This fund would provide financial support to countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan, with nations receiving up to 15% of the fund annually. However, any country that were to sever ties with Taiwan would immediately lose access to this assistance.
The report also underscores that Taiwan remains a "potential flashpoint for conflict with China." It notes that China is persistently pursuing its goal of annexing Taiwan through a variety of methods, including "information operations to influence Taiwan's public opinion to the use of military force."
While the administration of President Lai Ching-te is considering strategies to counter China's military threat through asymmetric defense approaches, the report highlights the challenges posed by China's gray zone military activities near Taiwan. These activities have complicated Taiwan's efforts to rapidly arm itself, due to constraints within the U.S. defense industrial base and extended delivery schedules.
The authors of the report believe this situation will force Taiwan to make a difficult decision between countering these activities or focusing on defense against a potential invasion. The USCC recommends that the U.S. support Taiwan in its efforts to counter China's gray zone military activities and provide the necessary weaponry for asymmetric warfare. However, it also acknowledges the challenges Taiwan faces in swiftly arming itself.
As a consequence, the report concludes that Taiwan will continue to rely on U.S. deterrence strategies as the People's Liberation Army advances towards its "2027 and mid-century modernization objectives." Even in the event of successful deterrence, the report cautions that China is actively developing the capability to isolate or blockade Taiwan.
