US Senator: China Will Face Full US Sanctions and Tariffs if It Invades Taiwan
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated he will promote legislation to impose comprehensive economic sanctions and tariffs on China from day one if it forcibly invades Taiwan. He emphasized this as a powerful deterrent measure, underscoring the U.S.'s responsibility to ensure Taiwan's security.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 23:20
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(CNA, Washington, 18th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said in an interview yesterday that he believes the U.S. has a responsibility to ensure Taiwan's security and supports maintaining the policy of strategic ambiguity. He emphasized that if China were to invade Taiwan by force, the Chinese economy would immediately face comprehensive U.S. sanctions and tariffs.
According to NBC, Graham (Lindsey Graham) was interviewed by host Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday.
Welker noted that President Donald Trump did not commit to supporting Taiwan in an exclusive interview with Fox News after returning from the U.S.-China summit last week. She asked Graham if Taiwan could remain secure without U.S. support.
Graham said, "I think it's in our interest to make sure Taiwan is secure. The United States has long pursued a 'One China policy,' we don't recognize two Chinas. We recognize one China, two systems."
He continued, "The United States has a long-standing policy of providing military aid to Taiwan, and we also have economic and trade relations with Taiwan. So I want to maintain this policy of strategic ambiguity. What would we do if China invades Taiwan? We maintain strategic ambiguity."
Graham noted, "President Trump said, 'It depends on me personally.' He's right. What can I do as a member of Congress? I will co-sponsor a proposal with my colleague from Alaska, Senator Dan Sullivan, to push for strong pre-invasion sanctions. Once China invades Taiwan, it will be hit with tariffs and sanctions."
"I want China to understand that if you attempt to take Taiwan by force, your economy will face comprehensive U.S. sanctions and tariffs on day one. This is the deterrent measure I want to promote."
He also said, "As for the arms sales (to Taiwan), if the president doesn't approve, I respect his decision. But I hope the president will tell the nation, 'Although I rejected the arms sale, I reached a deal with China that makes Taiwan safer.' We shall see."
When Welker asked if he hoped the arms sale would be approved and if Trump supported the sanctions he just mentioned, Graham replied, "We haven't discussed it with him yet," emphasizing that Congress would warn China with overwhelming support. "If we had done this to Russia: if you invade Ukraine, you will face this consequence on day one, I think they would not have invaded."
Graham added, "So we need to make it clear to China what consequences their economy will face from the first day you attempt a forced invasion of Taiwan. I hope the executive branch will support this."
"As for the arms sales, that is up to the president to decide, but I would encourage him to strengthen Taiwan so that we can deter aggression. If you give in to China, they will take Taiwan, and I think China will keep pushing for more, but we don't want war, we don't seek conflict, I want to maintain the status quo." (Compiled by: Hong Qiyuan) 1150518
According to NBC, Graham (Lindsey Graham) was interviewed by host Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday.
Welker noted that President Donald Trump did not commit to supporting Taiwan in an exclusive interview with Fox News after returning from the U.S.-China summit last week. She asked Graham if Taiwan could remain secure without U.S. support.
Graham said, "I think it's in our interest to make sure Taiwan is secure. The United States has long pursued a 'One China policy,' we don't recognize two Chinas. We recognize one China, two systems."
He continued, "The United States has a long-standing policy of providing military aid to Taiwan, and we also have economic and trade relations with Taiwan. So I want to maintain this policy of strategic ambiguity. What would we do if China invades Taiwan? We maintain strategic ambiguity."
Graham noted, "President Trump said, 'It depends on me personally.' He's right. What can I do as a member of Congress? I will co-sponsor a proposal with my colleague from Alaska, Senator Dan Sullivan, to push for strong pre-invasion sanctions. Once China invades Taiwan, it will be hit with tariffs and sanctions."
"I want China to understand that if you attempt to take Taiwan by force, your economy will face comprehensive U.S. sanctions and tariffs on day one. This is the deterrent measure I want to promote."
He also said, "As for the arms sales (to Taiwan), if the president doesn't approve, I respect his decision. But I hope the president will tell the nation, 'Although I rejected the arms sale, I reached a deal with China that makes Taiwan safer.' We shall see."
When Welker asked if he hoped the arms sale would be approved and if Trump supported the sanctions he just mentioned, Graham replied, "We haven't discussed it with him yet," emphasizing that Congress would warn China with overwhelming support. "If we had done this to Russia: if you invade Ukraine, you will face this consequence on day one, I think they would not have invaded."
Graham added, "So we need to make it clear to China what consequences their economy will face from the first day you attempt a forced invasion of Taiwan. I hope the executive branch will support this."
"As for the arms sales, that is up to the president to decide, but I would encourage him to strengthen Taiwan so that we can deter aggression. If you give in to China, they will take Taiwan, and I think China will keep pushing for more, but we don't want war, we don't seek conflict, I want to maintain the status quo." (Compiled by: Hong Qiyuan) 1150518