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Why US Lawmakers Introduce Bill After Bill to Help Taiwan

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - American lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills
   in the past two years to improve Taiwan's defenses and raise its
   international exposure as legislators backed by President Donald Trump
   step up resistance against China, an old rival of Taipei, analysts say.

   At least five pro-Taiwan bills have appeared in the U.S. Congress since
   February 2018, an unusually fast pace. It's largely because President
   Trump has championed Taiwan's cause for self-rule since his
   inauguration in 2017 amid spats with China over trade and geopolitics.
   China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, not as an independent
   state.

   Legislators, influenced by a Taiwan lobby in Washington as well as
   anti-China sentiments among American voters, have made the most of
   Trump's policy to get their bills signed into law, political observers
   believe. Trump's predecessors focused more on maintaining ties with
   Beijing.

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