11.21.19

Sullivan, Van Hollen Lead Bipartisan Letter Underscoring the Importance of Alliances with Japan, Republic of Korea

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, led by Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), sent a letter to the leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea to reaffirm the importance of America’s bilateral alliances with the two countries in light of rising challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 

You can find a signed copy of the letter HERE and the full text below: 

Your Excellencies,

 We write to you as bipartisan members of the United States Senate and as strong supporters of the U.S. bilateral alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea. We believe it is important to reaffirm the critical importance of these partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. These alliances, each independently forged after the difficult trials of war, serve as the linchpin of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and help advance the cause of a more peaceful, prosperous and free world. 

While we recognize the complex history between your two great countries, we believe it is a critical time for Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States to work together and deepen our economic, security and cultural relationships. Disunity only provides the opportunity for countries such as China and North Korea to sow discord in our relationships in order to shift the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific away from freedom and towards authoritarianism. Additionally, there are a number of pressing global challenges that are best addressed through a unified approach. 

We remain committed to deepening and broadening our diplomatic, economic and security ties with your great nations and look forward to continued cooperation and partnership in the years ahead. 

The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Doug Jones (D-AL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Barrasso (R-WY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Thune (R-SD), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), James Lankford (R-OK), John Kennedy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Martha McSally (R-AZ).

 

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