US delays ‘Taiwan Policy Act 2022’ amid looming war threats with China

Are China and the US on the brink of war?

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has rescheduled a business meeting to address the “Taiwan Policy Act of 2022” amid heightened tensions between China and the United States of America over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Experts believe that proposed legislation that would overhaul longstanding US-Taiwan policy could lead to deeper friction between the two world powers. While Committee Chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was planning to lead a business meeting on the bill sponsored by him and co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the matter has been deferred until September.

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While the Senate is caught up in votes on adding Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), there are reports that suggest that the Biden administration is trying to make changes to the bipartisan bill.

While introducing the legislation, Senator Graham said, “I’m very pleased to be working with Senator Menendez to strengthen the US-Taiwan relationship. Our bill is the largest expansion of the military and economic relationship between our two countries in decades.”

Adding, “When it comes to Taiwan, our response should be that we are for democracy and against communist aggression. We live in dangerous times. China is sizing up America and our commitment to Taiwan. The danger will only grow worse if we show weakness in the face of Chinese threats and aggression towards Taiwan. I’m hopeful we will receive large bipartisan support for our legislation and that the Biden Administration will sign on in support.”

But, with China now releasing a white paper titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era", Washington has gauged Beijing’s intentions regarding China. Pelosi's visit could have acted as a catalyst for China to make an aggressive move on Taiwan, but the plans were in place much in advance.