Hearing of the East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Mitt Romney, Hearing on Strengthening the U.S. -- Taiwan Relationship

Hearing

WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, today co-hosted a subcommittee hearing focused on strengthening the U.S. -- Taiwan relationship. Not only is Taiwan an important ally to the U.S., Taiwan plays a significant role in promoting freedom and countering China's aggression in the region. Senator Romney urged the Administration to continue to support Taiwan's autonomy, to partner with allies and other free nations to ensure Taiwan isn't isolated from global association, and to speed up the distribution of COVID vaccines to Taiwan and other countries in need. An excerpt from Senator Romney's remarks can be found below.

Senator Romney: "Over the past year, we have witnessed China increasing pressure on Taiwan from all fronts: politically, militarily, economically. Taiwan is an important friend of the United States. It plays a significant role in promoting democracy and countering China's aggression in the region. The United States must support Taiwan in this pivotal effort.

"We must also support Taiwan's standing in the world by advocating for their participation in international organizations, especially as the Chinese Communist Party seeks to isolate Taiwan from the global community. I commend the G7 for coming together and affirming the importance of a peaceful Taiwan Strait, supporting a peaceful resolution of the issues, and strongly opposing unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

"The U.S. must work with its allies to present a united front on Taiwan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan offered help to the United States by supplying personal protective equipment to hospitals across the United States, and it a lent hand to its neighbors in need. As Taiwan faces a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Biden Administration must expedite its commitment to supplying 750,000 vaccines to Taiwan, and they should continue to allocate additional vaccines that Taiwan needs without delay."

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