WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today spoke about how China is eyeing the Western world’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Excerpts from the Senator’s speech can be found below, and his remarks can be viewed here.
“Putin launched an unprovoked and brutal war – one that left the U.S. and our allies shocked and enraged. The global response of Putin’s provocation was a mix of sharp words, hastily delivered weapons, and targeted sanctions, but even as we speak, the actions from the Biden administration are still too weak. As airwaves were flooded with messages of support in solidarity with Ukraine, one major power was very vocal in their support against Ukraine – and that was China.”
“And there is no doubt that China is looking at the Western response to the [war] unfolding in Ukraine as it plans to consume its neighbor, Taiwan in the same fashion.”
“Since 1949, the Chinese Communist Party has been eyeing Taiwan and patiently waiting. They’ve not attacked because the United States and other free nations have strengthened the tiny island. That is the essence of deterrence. We want Xi Jinping to look out his window each morning and think, ‘Not today.’ Our president’s response to Russia invading Ukraine has not inspired confidence in the Pacific.”
“Alarmingly, the White House is indifferent to the warming relations between China and Russia. When asked about a recent call between President Biden and President Xi regarding the war in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, in part, ‘China has to make a decision for themselves about where they want to stand.’”
“To deter Chinese aggression, the United States must have our forces in the Pacific modernized and ready at any time. That’s why it was a major win that last year’s NDAA secured funding for a robust missile defense system for Guam to counter CCP-launched cruise or ballistic missiles. Guam is our first line of defense, home to 160,000 Americans who are forward-deployed to defend the West coast and our country.”
“However, as the CCP has continued to grow its military capabilities over the last decade, our own military has been hampered by cuts to defense spending leaving our artillery antiquated and our defense capabilities weakened. President Biden has been no different – offering up disappointing cuts to defense priorities in both of his first two budgets. These cuts most [certainly] caught the attention of our adversaries. This is yet another example of how sorely out of touch with reality the Biden administration is when it comes to defense. We cannot continue to ask our men and women in uniform to do more with less, especially with China watching everything that we do.”
“China is watching every move we make with regards to Putin – and they are taking notes. We cannot allow Vladimir Putin’s war to set a dangerous precedent. We must not make the same mistakes with Taiwan that the administration made with Ukraine. And that begins by sending a strong, clear message to our allies and adversaries that America will always be the world’s [foremost] superpower.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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