Washington, D.C.— U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06), a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led a bipartisan letter with over 60 Members of Congress to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking the Biden Administration to prioritize the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan. Taiwan is battling a surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths in recent weeks. In April of 2020, the Taiwanese government sent shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the U.S., to assist hospitals and medical providers in short supply of PPE.
Congressman Barr, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation, released this statement to the Washington Examiner, who broke the news of this letter: "Taiwan is a trusted U.S. partner on global health, trade and many other important areas. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan provided the U.S. with badly needed personal protective equipment,”
“Now, because of the success of the Trump Administration's Operation Warp Speed, any American who wants a vaccine can receive one. With that in mind, and as our Taiwanese friends see a surge in COVID-19 cases, I encourage the Administration to include Taiwan in its upcoming vaccine distribution efforts,” Barr added.
“Vaccines are the key to victory over the Covid-19 crisis. We are confident that with timely supply from the U.S., we will overcome the pandemic and continue to contribute to the global recovery," said Bi-khim Hsiao, Taiwan Representative to the U.S.