The fight to ensure Taiwan remains free and democratic is deeply personal to me, and one I will support wholeheartedly in Congress. After the Vietnam War my parents fled Laos and became refugees. When the Tai dam people arrived here in Iowa we were welcomed by communities all across the state and were finally able to establish a safe and secure homeland.
The freedoms and liberties we have here in America are central to why I enlisted in the Army and wanted to serve our country. In 2004, I deployed to Afghanistan as a combat engineer. We fought for the freedom of the Afghan people against a repressive regime.
At a time when the aggression of authoritarian powers such as China and Russia poses a grave threat to global peace and prosperity, the safety of Taiwan is not only a critical issue for the Taiwanese people themselves, but a critical bulwark against bloodshed and expansionism. Similarly, Taiwanese microchip manufacturing is one of the world’s most critical industries that power cutting edge technologies, and must be protected. And with over 23 million citizens, a military conflict over Taiwan would have horrific consequences for an innocent population that would take a devastating human toll.
The United States must remain steadfast in ensuring Taiwan has the means to defend itself and deter China from invading, continue to support Taiwan economically and through robust trade relations, and strengthen our network of regional allies and partners to counter an increasingly aggressive China.
We can best support Taiwan by being resolute in demonstrating our resolve to defend it against foreign threats – and show that our commitment is a constant above partisan politics or changing administrations. I support continuing the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances to demonstrate that the United States stands strong in protecting Taiwanese democracy.
I strongly support building on recent legislation passed in Congress, such as the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, to ensure Taiwan has the military assets needed to strengthen its defenses and to boost U.S. military resources in the region. I would support continued military aid to Taiwan to confront Chinese aggression and turn the island into a “porcupine” and deter armed action by Beijing. With the recent direction of Xi Jinping for the PLA to be ready to attack Taiwan by 2027, this cause is urgent and potentially existential.
I support passing measures such as the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act to lessen Taiwan’s isolation and ensure its economy can grow and thrive. I will also seek to build trade ties between Taiwan and Iowa, including working to attract high-tech manufacturing to Iowa that can create good jobs here at home.
We must also support Taiwan diplomatically. I look forward to joining the Congressional Taiwan Caucus to work with like-minded members of Congress to best support Taiwan. And I would also be interested in participating in a Congressional delegation to Taiwan to send the message to China that U.S. support for Taiwan cannot be shaken. The Taiwan Travel Act allows for American and Taiwanese officials to exchange visits, and these important exchanges must be protected and continued.
I will also support defending Taiwan in international forums such as the United Nations, where China has recently attempted to use a flawed interpretation of UN Resolution 2578 to chip away at Taiwan’s international status.
