Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham says that the United States should maintain a policy of strategic ambiguity on Taiwan, but supports comprehensive sanctions on China if Beijing uses force against Taiwan. That came in an interview he gave to the NBC program Meet the Press on Sunday, May 17.

Graham told NBC reporter Kristen Welker that it was in the interest of the United States to ensure Taiwan’s security, even though the country adheres to its one-China policy. He added that he hoped President Donald Trump would approve arms sales to Taiwan or reach an agreement with China that would make Taiwan safer if the sales were rejected.

Graham said that he would co-sponsor a bill pushing for sanctions in the event of conflict. He said he wanted Chinese leaders to understand that the Chinese economy would face comprehensive U.S. sanctions and tariffs on day one, which would serve as a deterrent against Beijing. He added that he hoped the executive branch of the government would support the proposal.