El Salvador announced that it was cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan. As a result, Florida Senator Marco Rubio is teaming up with Republican Senator Cory Gardner on an amendment that would restrict El Salvador from receiving American support.
Commenting on the matter, Senator Rubio explained that “It is extremely disappointing that El Salvador chose to sever diplomatic relations with democratic Taiwan and embrace communist China. 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.”
Adding to Rubio’s comments, Senator Gardner detailed that “El Salvador has made the wrong decision regarding Taiwan, and it will negatively influence United States relations with El Salvador. 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.”