The United States will send 750,000 vaccine doses to Taiwan, a U.S. senator said on Sunday, as part of the Biden administration’s initiative to distribute millions of coronavirus vaccines abroad.
Sen. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthTrio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions Defense secretary knocks Cruz: Military will ‘never be too soft’ Postal Service raises stamps to 58 cents as part of restructuring plan MORE (D-Illinois) revealed the number during a trip to Taiwan with Sens. Chris CoonsChris Andrew CoonsTrio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions 3 Delaware officers shot while responding to call Hundreds gather at historic Tulsa church to dedicate prayer wall on anniversary of massacre MORE (D-Del.) and Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanTrio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions White House pressed on evacuating Afghan allies as time runs out Overnight Energy: Biden admin backs Trump approval of major Alaska drilling project | Senate Republicans pitch 8 billion for infrastructure | EPA to revise Trump rule limiting state authority to block pipelines MORE (R-Alaska).
“I’m here to tell you that the United States will not let you stand alone,” Duckworth said after landing on a U.S. military transport plane, according to The Associated Press.
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“We will be by your side to make sure the people of Taiwan have what they need to get to the other side of the pandemic and beyond,” she added.
The bipartisan trio announced on Saturday that they were making the trip to Taiwan to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen to discuss security, among other issues.
Duckworth’s announcement comes three days after the White House said it will initially donate 25 million COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide.
Last month, the administration pledged to distribute 80 million total doses worldwide.
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The White House listed Taiwan as one of a number of countries in Asia to receive a share of 7 million doses.
Taiwan is in need of the doses following an April outbreak of COVID-19, the AP noted.
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Taiwan has accused China of impeding its attempts to strike a deal with BioNTech to receive doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which the two companies co-developed, according to the news service.
Beijing has reportedly said that it would provide vaccines for Taiwan through the Chinese partner Fosum, and blamed Taiwan for putting politics before the lives of its people.
Taiwanese law, however, prohibits the import of Chinese-made medicines, according to the AP.