20 September 2024

A group of Republican US senators introduced a bill yesterday designed to enhance the US’s strategic position against China.

The “STRATEGIC Act of 2024,” proposed by 11 senators including Mitt Romney and Jim Risch, seeks to provide “actionable” measures to address the growing threat from China. Romney, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, stated that it’s time for the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle this challenge.

“This legislation does not replace that necessity, but it does include strong policies to counter the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative, eliminate its malign influence in our educational institutions, and bolster security alliances in the Indo-Pacific,” Romney noted.

Risch emphasized the bill’s actionable provisions, criticizing Congress for not implementing policies that would effectively prepare the US and its allies for competition with China. “We cannot wait for more reports and studies — it’s time to start putting policies into action,” he said.

Among the bill’s eight main provisions is a commitment to strengthen US support for Taiwan and other nations facing threats from China. This includes establishing a “Tiger Team” within the state and treasury departments to proactively identify targets for sanctions, export controls, and other economic measures before any potential military action from China occurs. The task force would be required to develop a strategy for identifying these targets and potential consequences within 180 days of its formation.

This initiative parallels the “Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act” recently passed in the House, which mandates the Treasury Department to report on the assets of top Chinese leaders and allows for sanctions if the president perceives a substantial threat to Taiwan.

Additionally, the Senate bill would lift restrictions on direct and routine interactions with Taiwan, including visits by senior officials and the display of national symbols. It also permits the transfer of obsolete or surplus military items to Taiwan to build its war reserve stocks.

The introduction of this Senate bill follows the recent passage of several House bills aimed at countering Chinese threats.