The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday authorized a package of bipartisan legislative bills aimed at restraining China’s military ambitions in the world and enlarging Taiwan’s international financial role. Included in the proposals is the Counter Act of 2025, led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), that calls for the US to develop an international strategy to counter China’s push to build foreign military bases.
The bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a classified assessment of Chinese foreign bases and instructs the State and Defense Departments to recommend five high-risk countries. It also suggests the formation of an inter-agency task force and requires quadrennial strategic reviews to help maintain a proactive US policy.
Senator Coons cautioned in May that China’s quest for military outposts in strategically important countries was part of a larger strategy to increase its global footprint. “We have to work with allies to keep China from gaining new military footholds,” Coons said.
In another action, the panel passed the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2025, sponsored by Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA). The legislation calls for the US Treasury Secretary to advocate for Taiwan’s membership in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), enabling it to participate in economic policy reviews and access staff posts, notwithstanding IMF regulations on state recognition.
In the meantime, the committee moved forward with the nomination of Michael DeSombre as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. DeSombre is a Mandarin speaker and past US ambassador to Thailand and committed to putting economic diplomacy first and pushing back against China’s regional power. At his confirmation hearing, he noted bolstering alliances, preventing malign activity, and defending democratic values in Asia.
The passed measures now go to the full Senate for further debate and voting.
