Some in Congress want to cut Ukraine aid and boost Taiwan’s. But Taiwan sees its fate tied to Kyiv’s

In Congress, there is a growing debate over whether to reduce aid to Ukraine while increasing support for Taiwan. Representative Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, considers China a greater threat to the United States than Russia. As a result, he has opposed providing military aid to Ukraine and advocates for bolstering Taiwan’s defenses, given its vulnerability to potential aggression from Beijing.

For Collins and other Republican lawmakers, there’s a perception that Taiwan and Ukraine are competing for a limited pool of U.S. military assistance. However, many in Taiwan and its supporters see these two nations’ fates as intertwined, especially as Ukraine grapples with repelling a Russian invasion. They argue that China closely observes whether the United States possesses the political resolve to back an ally in a prolonged and costly conflict. Furthermore, U.S. aid to Ukraine has led to increased weapon production, potentially benefiting Taiwan in a confrontation with China.

Hsiao Bi-Khim, Taiwan’s diplomat in the U.S., emphasized this interconnectedness, stating, “Ukraine’s survival is Taiwan’s survival. Ukraine’s success is Taiwan’s success,” during the Sedona Forum hosted by the McCain Institute in May.

Nonetheless, Taiwan has been cautious not to take sides in the U.S. debate regarding ongoing funding for Ukraine, which has become a divisive political issue despite initial bipartisan support. When asked about Congress’s decision to exclude Ukraine funding from a temporary spending measure on October 1, Taiwan’s diplomatic office responded discreetly, expressing gratitude for bipartisan support and a commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund, expressed concerns about Congress’s refusal to include aid, asserting that the Taiwanese government considers Ukraine’s victory as existential for Taiwan. She noted that despite these worries, most Republicans who seek to end U.S. support for Ukraine remain supportive of Taiwan and are willing to enhance its defense.

Taiwan represents a complex issue in the strained U.S.-China relationship, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over the island and the United States pursuing a peaceful resolution while supplying it with military equipment to deter any hostile actions by China. China’s military activities near Taiwan have raised concerns about potential armed confrontations. President Joe Biden has pledged to send troops to defend Taiwan in case of conflict, while Chinese President Xi Jinping demands respect for his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Rep. Mike Collins, who visited Taiwan as his first overseas trip as a congressman, calls for swift weapon deliveries to Taiwan, given delays in delivering up to $19 billion worth of previously sold weapons. Collins attributes these delays to a backlog in U.S. manufacturing and the Biden administration’s focus on Ukraine.

However, Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center of Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, disagrees with the idea that support for one country must come at the expense of the other. He argues that Taiwan supports U.S. aid to Ukraine and understands the importance of the deterrence message. Moreover, he highlights that aid to Ukraine contributes to expanding U.S. weapons production, which benefits both Taiwan and enhances U.S. military readiness.

Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who led a congressional delegation to Taiwan, asserts that support for Taiwan remains strong in Congress, even amid discussions about aid to Ukraine. He emphasized this during a National Day celebration hosted by Taiwan’s representative office in Washington.

Glaser believes that the Chinese leadership is unlikely to disregard U.S. support for Taiwan, even if support for Ukraine diminishes. However, they may exploit any failure to fund Ukraine as part of a disinformation campaign to sow doubts among the Taiwanese people about the U.S. commitment to their defense.

In a social media post, Hu Xijin, a retired chief editor of the Communist Party-run Global Times newspaper and a political commentator, suggested that most U.S. overseas military interventions have faced difficulties when rapid victory is not achieved.

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More about Geopolitical Dilemma

• Congressional Debate on Ukraine Aid and Taiwan Support
• Rep. Mike Collins’ Stance on China, Russia, and Taiwan
• Taiwan’s Diplomat in the U.S. Discusses the Interconnected Fates of Taiwan and Ukraine
• China’s Concerns Regarding U.S. Support for Ukraine
• Impact of U.S. Aid to Ukraine on Weapons Production
• Taiwan’s Neutral Stance on U.S. Funding for Ukraine
• Bonnie Glaser’s Perspective on Ukraine’s Victory and Taiwan
• Geopolitical Situation of Taiwan in U.S.-China Relations
• President Joe Biden’s Pledge to Defend Taiwan
• Delays in Weapon Deliveries to Taiwan
• Bradley Bowman’s View on Support for Ukraine and Taiwan
• Rep. Michael McCaul’s Remarks on Support for Taiwan
• Chinese Leadership’s Potential Reaction to U.S. Support for Taiwan