A bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced a bill on May 10, 2026, aimed at deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation, titled the 'Deterring Chinese Aggression Act,' proposes sanctions on Chinese officials and entities involved in activities deemed threatening to regional stability, including in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
The bill, sponsored by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), would require the President to identify and impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals responsible for aggressive actions. It also calls for a review of US-China trade agreements and enhanced military cooperation with allies like Japan and the Philippines.
According to a press release from Rubio's office, the measure responds to recent Chinese military exercises near Taiwan and continued island construction in the South China Sea. The bill has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for further consideration.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the bill on May 11, calling it 'interference in China's internal affairs' and vowing to take 'necessary measures' to protect sovereignty. The bill's prospects remain uncertain amid ongoing US-China diplomatic tensions.
