TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker on Wednesday urged Washington to uphold former President Ronald Reagan’s commitment not to consult Beijing on arms sales to Taipei, a day after meeting with Taiwan’s representative to the US.
In a statement, Wicker said he met with Taiwan’s Representative to the US, Alexander Yui Tah-ray (俞大㵢), to discuss security commitments and what he described as growing Chinese aggression toward US allies in the Indo-Pacific. He also stressed the importance of the US-Taiwan partnership amid the CCP's expanding influence.
Wicker cited the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which commits the US to making available sufficient defense articles and services to ensure Taiwan can defend itself against Chinese aggression. He said members of Congress have a duty to uphold the law and base decisions about Taiwan’s defense needs on a joint assessment of military necessity.
He also invoked the Six Assurances, a set of commitments the Reagan administration made regarding US security cooperation with Taiwan. “President Reagan made clear that we would not consult with the Chinese Communist Party on arms sales to Taiwan,” Wicker said, adding that Reagan was right to make that promise and that Washington should uphold the precedent.
The senator said the PLA had undergone a major military buildup in recent years and was increasingly using its growing military power to “coerce our allies in the Pacific, including Japan, the Philippines, and especially Taiwan.” He said Congress had authorized and appropriated additional resources for Taiwan, including enhanced training and security assistance.
Wicker also noted that the Taiwanese had chosen democracy and built an advanced economy. His remarks came as Taiwan awaits President Donald Trump's approval of a proposed NT$439 billion (US$14 billion) arms package that remains pending after recent high-level talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
