Yesterday marked a significant political moment as Taiwan-related proposals faced a vote in the U.S.

Tweekin' the Taiwan Tango: House Bills Elevating U.S.-Taiwan Ties

Hold onto your hats, folks! The US House of Representatives is readying to cast its vote on two spicy bills geared towards beefing up ties with Taiwan. These proposed legislations aim to pump up bilateral interaction and boost Taiwan's global participation.

The recipes in question? Amendments to the Taiwan Assurance Act and the TAIPEI Act, originally signed by President Trump during his inaugural term.

First up on the menu, we've got the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act. Its primary purpose is to convert a one-time review into a periodic bi-annual review, with the ultimate objective being the eventual lifting of self-imposed barriers on interaction. The original Taiwan Assurance Act required the U.S. Department of State to put together a report card on U.S.-Taiwan relations within 180 days of the bill's passing, but this amendment has other ideas!

Guess who played a dynamic role in this dance? None other than former Mr. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who waved away restrictions on interaction between Taiwan and U.S. officials in January 2021. Some of these actions were reinstated by the Biden administration, leading many to speculate about the intentions of the newly appointed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who has long been an advocate for Taiwan.

Next, there's the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, a cheeky twist on the TAIPEI Act. This law change clarifies the interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, stands firm against any attempts to alter Taiwan's status without the agreement of the Taiwanese people, and encourages Taiwan's participation in international organizations. If you're interested in the specifics, the bill directs U.S. government representatives in international bodies to pressure their peers to resist China's efforts to manipulate these organizations' decisions, language, policies, or procedures related to Taiwan.

"The United States fiercely opposes any scheme that seeks to redefine Taiwan's standing apart from the wishes of its citizens," the bill tells us.

And let's not forget about the cherry on top: the bill commands U.S. officials to nudge fellow members of international organizations to give China a taste of their own medicine regarding its attempts to isolate Taiwan.

So there you have it! Two delicious bills aimed at strengthening U.S.-Taiwan ties, as well as Taiwan's global presence. Keep your fingers crossed as we await the vote results!

[1] U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. (2023, March 9). Taiwan International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/download/?FileID=19612

[2] U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. (2023, March 9). Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act of 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/download/?FileID=19613

[3] GOP.gov. (2025, May 5). H.R.1512 – United States-Taiwan Alliance and Tel Aviv Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://rules.house.gov/uploadedfiles/1512-hrSrts.pdf

The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act undergoes modification in the US House of Representatives, aiming to adjust the periodic review from a one-time event to a bi-annual one, and possibly lifting self-imposed barriers on interaction.
The Taiwan International Solidarity Act, a reform of the TAIPEI Act, provides clarification on the interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, stands against any efforts to alter Taiwan's status, and encourages its international participation.
Senator Marco Rubio, the newly appointed Secretary of State, is speculated to have intentions regarding the U.S.-Taiwan ties, following his long-standing advocacy for Taiwan.
These House bills, once enacted, would instruct U.S. officials to persuade members of international organizations to resist China's efforts to isolate Taiwan, adopting a similar approach in cases of China's attempts to manipulate policy-and-legislation, politics, or general news related to Taiwan.