10th June 2023 – (Washington) On Thursday, 8th June, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan spoke at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., presenting “Why Taiwan Matters.” Sullivan emphasised that the U.S. needs to take more action to deter China from attempting to invade or blockade Taiwan. He also urged foreign allies to adopt a standard response to any Chinese military activity that threatens Taiwan or the safety of the region.
In his presentation, Sullivan referred to Taiwan as the “21st century’s West Berlin” and called on Americans to understand why Taiwan is important to national interests. He argued that the U.S. should seriously consider military intervention if China were to attack Taiwan.
Sullivan posited that if China were to succeed in annexing Taiwan, the U.S. and the world would suffer four major consequences. These consequences include a devastating blow to the U.S. and global economy, a geostrategic loss in a vital area of the world, America’s commitment to allies being questioned, and Xi’s authoritarian model gaining a global boost.
Throughout his presentation, Sullivan emphasised that the conflict between authoritarianism, represented by China, and democracy, represented by Taiwan, represents a test of willpower that will have global consequences.
Sullivan, who is a senator representing Alaska since 2015 and a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps at the Marine Forces Pacific Command, has a unique perspective on military matters in the Pacific that most politicians in D.C. lack. He authored the S.T.A.N.D with Taiwan Act legislation, which is currently under review by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
The legislation calls for sanctions to be imposed on Chinese officials, banking institutions, and state-affiliated businesses in the event of any military threat made towards Taiwan.