Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joined U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) to introduce the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which will require the U.S. Department of State to review and update its policy guidance regarding Taiwan no less than every five years and deliver a report to Congress within 90 days in light of the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and China’s threats of invasion.
“Taiwan is a crucial U.S. partner standing at the forefront of our shared fight for democracy,” said Bennet. “As the Chinese government escalates military, economic, and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, this legislation would ensure that the State Department remains agile enough to counter Beijing’s saber-rattling.”
“Our commitment to Taiwan must be backed by an approach that evolves with the changing realities in the Indo-Pacific,” said Coons. “The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act recognizes the importance of United States-Taiwan relations, supports our shared values, and reinforces stability in this critical region, consistent with our longstanding one China policy.”
“The threat China poses to the stability of the Indo-Pacific, including our friend and ally Taiwan, is ever-evolving, and our diplomatic guidance must be able to keep up,” said Cornyn. “This legislation would help reinstate a strong Taiwan strategy at the State Department at a time when we need it most.”
Bennet has long advocated for stronger U.S.-Taiwan ties, particularly in critical and emerging technologies like semiconductor manufacturing. He has also repeatedly warned that allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to claim victory in Ukraine would embolden autocrats everywhere – specifically emboldening China’s President Xi Jinping to consider military action against Taiwan.
In January, Bennet joined U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to introduce legislation to provide expedited double-tax relief on U.S.-Taiwan cross-border investment and authorize the President to negotiate a tax agreement with Taiwan to provide broader bilateral tax relief. Bennet played a leading role in securing the April 2024 passage of the national security aid package, which included $8.13 billion for Indo-Pacific partners including Taiwan. In March 2024, Bennet urged the leaders of Alphabet, Meta, TikTok, and X to better counter election interference – noting China-linked state actors’ use of malicious information campaigns to undermine Taiwan’s January 2024 elections.
The text of the bill is available HERE.