Legislation seeks to defend Taiwan from increased Chinese pressure

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE) and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently reintroduced The Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act, which is designed to strengthen Taiwan’s world standing in response to increased Chinese pressure and bullying tactics.

“China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan by bullying and pressuring countries, especially in our own Hemisphere, cannot go unanswered,” Rubio said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing legislation that reaffirms our commitment to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and allows for the State Department to take diplomatic action against governments that alter diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China.”

The bill requires an American strategy to engage with governments around the world to support Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition and strengthen unofficial ties with Taiwan while authorizing the State Department to downgrade U.S. relations with any government that takes adverse actions regarding Taiwan.

The State Department would also have the ability to suspend or alter foreign assistance to governments taking adverse Taiwan actions and articulate a clear policy to support Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations.

“The United States should use every tool to support Taiwan’s standing on the international stage,” Gardner said. “This legislation demands a whole-of-government approach to stand up to China’s bullying tactics and will send a strong message to nations that there will be consequences for supporting Chinese actions that undermine Taiwan.”