TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — U.S. Representative Michael McCaul on Monday (May 28) said bolstering maritime assets will be key to preventing China from imposing a blockade on Taiwan.
Following Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) inauguration on May 20, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched the "Joint Sword-2024A" exercises around Taiwan from May 23-24. McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led a six-member bipartisan congressional delegation that arrived on Sunday (May 26), met with Lai, and held a press briefing in the Presidential Office on Monday (May 27).
When asked to address concerns about delays in delivering U.S. arms to Taiwan, McCaul said this is a security issue he frequently discusses with senior U.S. officials. He said the U.S. weapons systems are forthcoming and the recently approved US$4 billion (NT$129 billion) in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), including US$2 billion for Taiwan, is a “sign of showing support.”
McCaul said the FMF will move more quickly than foreign military sales packages. He said the Chinese military exercise “sends a very strong message to the United States that myself and all these members will take back with us to the United States Congress, to the speaker, and the president.”
He said that he and Lai had a “very sobering” conversation about the threat Taiwan faces from China. He added that the U.S. must do everything it can to “make it possible for him (Xi) to see that the risk outweighs the reward.”
Asked whether the U.S. will adjust its military aid to Taiwan in response to the situation, McCaul said he believes that maritime assets will be a key focus. He said China's exercises are a “preview of what a blockade would look like” and demonstrate what Taiwan's response would look like “and or possibly the United States.”
McCaul said maritime assets would be critical in deterring a blockade. He emphasized that such assets would also be essential to prevent PLA forces from landing on Taiwan.
He said Taiwan must have the weapons it needs for deterrence, “so that Xi is looking at that military calculation and it does not look very good to him.” Therefore, he said Harpoon anti-ship missiles and submarines are vital for deterrence.
He said the AUKUS partnership between the U.S., U.K., and Australia will be important to develop nuclear submarines, AI, quantum, and other technology to counter Beijing's influence. He added that the Quad which involves India will help counter “the malign influence of China.”