US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Is Expected To Pass The Taiwan Policy Act Of 2022

On Sep. 13th, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman,Bob Menendez, said at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s (IPAC) conference that The Taiwan Policy Act is expected to receive bipartisan support and be passed on the 14th of this month.

 The Taiwan Policy Act was introduced by Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham this June. The 107-page bill summarizes the emphasis of several Taiwan-related proposals in recent years and will become the most favorable bill for Taipei after it is voted on. The released version of the bill shows that it will negotiate the renaming of the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office” to the “Taiwan Representative Office” and requires Senate confirmation for the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan’s (Taipei office) and bestows the title “Representative” for such office.

 In terms of military assistance to Taipei, the Taiwan Policy Act requires the executive branch to prioritize and expedite Taiwan’s arm purchase requests and provide billions of dollars in military procurement financing. The bill would also designate Taiwan as a major non-NATO ally, thereby granting the self-governing island preferences for foreign assistance and arms exports in military and economic fields. Last week, National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said that some elements of the bill raised concerns in the executive branch, and he met with some senators on Sep. 7th to exchange views. 

 In this regard, Senator Menendez said there would be some changes of wording under the condition of the retention of the main principle, but the bill specifies U.S. support to Taiwan, including protecting Taiwan’s territorial integrity, assisting in its self-defense, arms sales, and supporting its participation in international organizations and so on. Moreover, the U.S. will also seek effective approaches to help Taiwan to open diplomatic channels and encourage other nations to jointly support it.