Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts and Chris Coons recently led a tabletop exercise focusing on a hypothetical Chinese energy quarantine against Taiwan. The exercise, organized by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), involved senators responding to a simulated scenario where China attempts to cut off Taiwan's energy imports. The session aimed to evaluate potential U.S. responses and support for Taiwan.

Senator Ricketts, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, emphasized the significance of such exercises in understanding policy impacts. "This exercise reflected the real risk that a Chinese energy quarantine presents to Taiwan," he stated. He highlighted Congress's role in supporting Taiwan and complicating China's plans under Xi Jinping.

Ricketts also noted Xi Jinping's directive for military readiness to seize Taiwan by 2027, stressing the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait. "Increasing aggression from Communist China continues to threaten this long-standing status quo," he remarked.

Senator Coons echoed these sentiments, underscoring Taiwan's strategic importance in maintaining an open Indo-Pacific region amid Chinese threats. "This exercise made clear the sheer number of tools China has at its disposal to threaten Taiwan," Coons said, advocating for bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan.

The exercise follows a recent congressional delegation trip led by Senator Ricketts to Taiwan and the Philippines with Senators Coons and Ted Budd. During their visit, they met with senior Taiwanese officials including President Lai and Vice President Hsaio.

FDD plans another simulation this summer in Taipei involving Taiwanese officials and members of Taiwan’s National Security Council as part of ongoing efforts by Senators Ricketts and Coons to foster bipartisan agreement regarding Taiwan.