TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two U.S. senators on Friday (May 24) proposed a bill to advance Europe’s transfer of U.S.-manufactured weapons to Taiwan.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Pete Ricketts introduced "Building Options for the Lasting Security of Taiwan through European Resolve (BOLSTER) Act” to “encourage stronger coordination and relations between Europe and Taiwan,” per a press release. The act would “create a mechanism for European NATO countries to more easily transfer U.S.-origin defense equipment to support Taiwan’s self-defense.”
The proposal comes as China launched a two-day, large-scale military exercise around Taiwan on May 23-24, after President Lai Ching-te (賴清德)’s inauguration on May 20.
If the bill passes, the U.S. secretary of state would establish an expedited decision-making mechanism for third-party transfers from NATO countries to Taiwan. The U.S. secretary of state must also brief the Senate and House committees on foreign relations and armed services on meetings with NATO countries about arms transfers and sales to Taiwan.
In addition, the bill requests the U.S. president to submit reports to Congress on the economic impact of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The U.S. and Europe would also consider how to provide humanitarian support to Taiwan in such a scenario.
In addition, the bill includes a "Sense of Congress” resolution that aims to counter China's narratives about United Nations Resolution 2758. European countries were also encouraged to share lessons with Taiwan from their experiences in times of crisis.
"Xi (Jinping) has made clear his intentions to take Taiwan by force if necessary. This must be prevented at all costs," Ricketts said. "The BOLSTER Act encourages stronger European support for Taiwan and increases coordination on sanctions to deter PRC hostilities toward Taiwan.”
According to Shaheen, the bill would increase “coordination on issues including sanctions policy and humanitarian assistance initiatives” to Taiwan in the event of a military invasion by China. “The U.S. and Europe will strengthen our collective deterrence posture in the region and send an unmistakable message to the PRC that democracies stand together,” Shaheen said.
