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Sherman-Royce Bill Successfully Pushes $1.83 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan

December 18, 2015

Sherman Warns China Against Retaliation

Washington DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the Asia Subcommittee, praised the Administration's decision to sell $1.83 billion in arms to Taiwan, including two Navy Perry-class frigates. Last week, Congressman Sherman and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced The Taiwan Naval Support Act, legislation designed to cause this action.

The bill, which unanimously passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would have required the President to submit a timeframe for the sale of arms to Taiwan, including two surplus U.S. naval vessels. The transfer was initially authorized by the Naval Vessel Transfer Act, but no action had been taken for over a year.

"The purpose of the bill was to prod the Administration to transfer these important warships. I'm pleased the Administration has done just that. As I said in Committee, after all these delays, it was time to transfer the friggin frigates."

"The fact that China is responding with bluster and threats shows how important this transfer is. The more bellicose China's rhetoric, the more clear it is we need to provide Taiwan with the tools it needs for its defense."

"If China takes any action against any American company involved in the arms transfer, we must impose tariffs on Chinese goods equal to at least ten times the effect of Chinese sanctions," said Congressman Sherman.

"Chairman Royce has been a forceful and tireless advocate for transferring the frigates and other defense items to Taiwan," Sherman added.

The Sherman-Royce legislation was introduced with the support of Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Matt Salmon (R-AZ), the Chairman of the Asia Subcommittee.

Watch Congressman Sherman speech in the House Foreign Affairs Committee from last week here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUU0wT5ZYsY


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