Republican California Rep. Michelle Steel called on Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to share additional COVID-19 vaccines with Taiwan Wednesday amid China’s attempts to block access.
The Daily Caller first obtained a letter sent to Blinken, which asks the State Department to deliver more COVID-19 vaccines to support the U.S. ally.
Only 3% of Taiwan’s population of 23.5 million were vaccinated and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was trying to block Taiwan from accessing vaccines, according to the letter. Taiwan has accused China of blocking its efforts to reach a deal with BioNTech to import the vaccine, NPR reported.
Taiwan helped the U.S. with personal protective equipment (PPE) earlier on in the pandemic.
“[I]t’s important that we do our part to help Taiwan save lives and prevent a massive economic lockdown,” Steel wrote in the letter.
“Just as they aided us last year, it’s important for us to help our ally in the fight against the coronavirus. We need to ensure they have access to life-saving vaccines and markets that are free from CCP pressure and influence,” Steel told the Daily Caller. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Republicans Demand Answers From Secretary Of State Over Reports Biden Called Off Investigation Into COVID-19 Origins)
READ THE LETTER HERE:
(DAILY CALLER OBTAINED) — … by Henry Rodgers
It was announced Sunday that the U.S. would give Taiwan 750,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, NPR reported. Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Deleware Democratic Sen. Christopher Coons, and Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan stopped for three hours in Taiwan, mentioning their vaccine shortage.
The Daily Caller contacted the State Department about Steel’s letter to which they did not immediately respond.