After El Salvador announced it was severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, two Republicans in the Florida delegation called for action.
On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who sits on the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, said he was working with U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Col., to bring out an amendment restricting American support to El Salvador.
“It is extremely disappointing that El Salvador chose to sever diplomatic relations with democratic Taiwan and embrace communist China,” Rubio said. “This is a grave mistake that harms relations with the U.S., and will likely prove to be costly and short-sighted given what we know about China’s ‘debt traps’ and economic exploitation globally. I am pleased to join Senator Gardner in taking steps to block U.S. foreign assistance to El Salvador. The U.S. and other democracies must stand together and reject China’s use of financial bribery and economic coercion to divide us.”
“El Salvador has made the wrong decision regarding Taiwan, and it will negatively influence United States relations with El Salvador,” Gardner said. “I appreciate Senator Rubio for working with me on an amendment to restrict funding to El Salvador, and I urge for it to be included in the final bill. This amendment will send a direct message to Taiwan’s allies that the United States will use every tool to support Taiwan’s standing on the international stage and will stand up to China’s bullying tactics across the world.”
Over on the other side of Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., who has worked to support Taiwan in his role as chairman of the U.S. House Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, also weighed in on the matter.
“El Salvador’s switch of diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China is deeply troubling,” Yoho said on Tuesday. “For the third time this year, a nation has been bought off by China. Not only has China bought one of Taiwan’s remaining 18 allies, but it is gaining alliances in our backyard. China is taking advantage of these countries to isolate Taiwan further and build influence in Latin America.
“The United States and like-minded countries cannot and should not wait much longer to prevent China’s reach,” Yoho added. “China is actively pursuing Taiwan’s remaining allies through diplomatic and economic coercion. We cannot stand idly by, while China bullies its way into power. China’s harmful practices need to be stopped before they spread further.”
