June 17, 2022
Washington – U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (DN.J.) and Senator Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) announcing that they have brought in a bipartisan Taiwan Policy Act of 2022The new legislation is the most comprehensive U.S. policy adjustment toward Taiwan since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, after Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe threatened last week that China would “unhesitatingly launch war” and “smash” Taiwan. Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. The bipartisan proposal expands U.S. efforts to promote Taiwan’s security, ensure regional stability, and deter further aggression by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The legislation also makes China costly for its hostile actions against Taiwan by creating a broad regime of economic sanctions.
Specifically, Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 Develop a new initiative to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses, providing nearly $4.5 billion in security assistance over the next four years. The bill also strengthens support for Taiwan’s democratic government; provides additional support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and the multilateral trade architecture; takes concrete steps to counter China’s aggressive coercion and influence campaigns; creates a Taiwan scholarship program; and designates Taiwan as a major African NATO ally. Designated Non-NATO Major Ally (MNNA) status under U.S. law is a powerful symbol that provides additional benefits to our closest global partners in defense trade and security cooperation.
“As Beijing continues to seek to coerce and isolate Taiwan, there should be no question or ambiguity about the depth and intensity of our resolve to stand with the Taiwanese people and their democracy,” he said. Chairman Menendez said. “Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 A groundbreaking statement on behalf of the United States’ absolute commitment to stand with Taiwan and all who share common interests and values in the Indo-Pacific against Beijing’s military, economic, and diplomatic threats and bullying. The United States and our partners have a critical window of opportunity to reinvigorate our diplomatic strategy to ensure stability and security on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and work with Taipei to modernize its militaries; embed them in the region’s economic architecture; counter Beijing political influence and misinformation campaigns; and developing deeper ties between the two peoples. I thank Senator Graham for working with me on this landmark legislation to send a clear message to Beijing not to make the same mistakes in Taiwan that Vladimir Putin made in Ukraine. “
“I am delighted to work with Senator Menendez to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. Our bill is the largest expansion of the military and economic relationship between our two countries in decades,” Senator Graham said. “When it comes to Taiwan, our response should be to support democracy and oppose communist aggression. We are living in dangerous times. China is evaluating the United States and our commitment to Taiwan. If we show weakness in the face of Chinese threats and aggression against Taiwan, The danger will only grow. I hope our legislation will have strong bipartisan support and a Biden administration will sign it.”
Today’s presentation follows a congressional delegation to Australia, Taiwan and Japan led by Senators Menendez and Graham in April 2022, which will include meetings with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, National Security Council Secretary Gu Wei Ling, Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie and Defense Minister met with Minister Qiu Guozheng. In December, Chairman Menendez also convened a full hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the future of U.S. policy toward Taiwan, which heard from Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Daniel Krittenbrink and Assistant Secretary of State for Taiwan Testimony of the Honourable Ely Ratner, Minister of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.
s copy Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 can be found here. click here Get a section-by-section summary of the legislation.
Taiwan Policy Act of 2022
Title I: U.S. Policy toward Taiwan
- This title reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act and six assurances; establishes goals to support the security of Taiwan and its democratic, economic, and military institutions; and establishes new mechanisms to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan. This title directs the federal government to engage with the democratic government of Taiwan as a legitimate representative of the people of Taiwan, prohibits restrictions on federal government officials from interacting with their counterparts in the Taiwan government, directs the Secretary of State to negotiate a name change from “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office” to “Taiwan Representative Office” Office” and asked the Senate to confirm the director of the American Institute in Taiwan and grant the office the title of “representative”.
TITLE II: U.S.-Taiwan Strengthens Implementation of Defense Partnership
- The title amends Article 2(b)(5) of the Trade Agreement to expand the provision of arms to Taiwan from “defensive means” to “weapons useful in deterring the aggression of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.” The title also authorizes the federal government to enhance security cooperation with Taiwan and otherwise deter PLA aggression against Taiwan, regardless of its formal diplomatic status, and affirms that nothing in the act shall be construed as any other legal act against the president Actions that constitute an obstacle or a U.S. government agency related to U.S. interests in Taiwan. The title establishes the Taiwan Security Assistance Program, which authorizes $4.5 billion in foreign military financing over four years and prioritizes aid requests from Taiwan. The federal government is directed to strengthen, develop, and report on Taiwan’s self-defense and resilience capabilities by periodically assessing, planning, and deterring PLA aggression, and developing a comprehensive training program to improve Taiwan’s defenses. Finally, to support Taiwan’s defenses, this title increases the annual war reserve increase from $200 million to $500 million and strengthens the United States’ commitment to Taiwan’s security by designating Taiwan as a major non-NATO ally.
Part Three: Countering the People’s Republic of China’s Invasion and Influence Movement
- This title directs the Department of State to develop and implement strategic guidance and capacity-building measures for Taiwan’s private and public sectors to respond to Chinese disinformation, cyberattacks, and propaganda, and to establish coordinated partnerships with the U.S. Taiwan Institute’s Global Cooperation and Training Framework Like-minded governments share data and best practices to address government-backed power operations in China. Additionally, the title directs the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to address economic coercion by the People’s Republic of China against countries that increase ties or support Taiwan.
Chapter 4: Taiwan Joins International Organizations
- The title establishes U.S. policy to promote Taiwan’s integration and participation in international organizations and directs U.S. Permanent Representatives to the United Nations and other interested representatives to use their voice and voting rights to promote Taiwan’s integration and meaningful participation in international organizations. Support Taiwan’s participation in the Inter-American Development Bank, diversify the institution’s donor base, promote Taiwan’s continued contribution to the development of Latin American and Caribbean economies, and authorize the Secretary of State to recognize and pursue non-borrowing Inter-American Development Bank membership for Taiwan. Finally, this title amends Section 2(a) of the Taipei Act to address the lack of a position in UN Resolution 2758 on Taiwan’s representation and sovereignty, and to include U.S. opposition to any initiative to alter Taiwan’s status without consent .
TITLE V: Strengthening U.S.-Taiwan Development and Economic Cooperation
- This title presents findings on the importance of economic partnerships, including the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, Taiwan’s contributions to U.S. security and prosperity, including diversification of supply chain security, job growth, and a free and open economy in the Indo-Pacific . It also said the U.S. should finalize a trade and investment framework agreement with Taiwan, bring Taiwan into the Indo-Pacific economic framework, and establish a customs and border patrol pre-clearance facility in Taiwan, a feeling in Congress.
Title 6: Supporting U.S.-Taiwan Education and Exchange Programs
- Titled the Taiwan Scholarship Act, it established a scholarship exchange program for employees of all three government agencies of the U.S. federal government to study, live, and work in Taiwan for up to two years. Upon successful completion of the program, fellows must meet service requirements in their sponsoring government departments, and they will be equipped to advance U.S. values and interests in the Indo-Pacific, with a particular emphasis on strengthening our strategic partnership with Taiwan.
Chapter VII: Miscellaneous Provisions
- The act establishes policies that support Taiwan’s position in bilateral and multilateral dialogue, advances the Taiwan Travel Act, and prohibits undermining U.S. policy toward Taiwan by encouraging a code of conduct for engagement with the People’s Republic of China.
Article 8: Cross-Strait Stabilization Sanctions
- The Act establishes a robust sanctions regime to prevent individuals and entities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), whether on their own or through proxies, from escalating hostilities in or against Taiwan, including: sabotage, overthrow, or dissolution Taiwan government and interference with Taiwan’s territorial integrity.
ARTICLE 9: CONSTRUCTION RULES
- Reiterates that nothing in this Act shall be construed as restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan or changing the U.S. government’s position on Taiwan’s international status.
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John Paschon
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