Taiwan-U.S. Bilateral Relations
Taiwan is a flourishing democracy that shares with the United States such common values as freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and a market-based economy. It is also an important trading partner and export market for the U.S. in major sectors. Over the years, Taiwan and the U.S. have maintained a strong friendship and vital partnership on the foundation of shared values and common interests.
Bipartisan Support in the U.S. Congress
Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. The House Congressional Taiwan Caucus, established in 2002, currently boasts over 200 members from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The Senate Taiwan Caucus, established in 2003, consists of more than 30 Senators. Both caucuses are among the largest and most active in the U.S. Congress.
Through legislative measures and various initiatives, members of U.S. Congress continue to strengthen and advance Taiwan-U.S. partnership in areas such as bilateral diplomacy, security cooperation, economic exchanges, and collaboration on global development agendas.
Members of Congress have also travel to Taiwan to demonstrate strong support for the democracy and the people of Taiwan. In 2023, Taiwan welcomed a total of 43 bipartisan members.
Taiwan Relations Act
On January 1, 1979, the U.S. switched diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the PRC. In order to maintain the long-standing friendship between the peoples of the U.S. and Taiwan, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was signed into law on April 10, 1979, by then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter and has endured to the present date as the cornerstone of Taiwan-U.S. relations.
The enactment of the TRA reaffirmed Taiwan as an important strategic partner of the U.S. and a linchpin of U.S. policy in Asia. It clearly states that the political, security, and economic interests of the U.S. are linked to peace and stability in the Western Pacific region. It stipulates that the U.S. will supply Taiwan with necessary defense articles so that Taiwan can maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities. The TRA also states that the U.S. will consider "any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the U.S." Under the TRA, if such a scenario were to occur, the U.S. President would be obliged to immediately notify Congress so that it may determine an appropriate response together with the administration.
The TRA also requires that Taiwan be treated as a country under U.S. law and enables both sides to establish offices in the territory of the other to oversee bilateral relations. Accordingly, the U.S. operates the American Institute in Taiwan, which is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and maintains offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Taiwan currently maintains 13 U.S. offices in Washington D.C. (TECRO), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. These offices are each tasked with performing most of the functions of an embassy or a consulate-general.
Six Assurances
Besides the TRA, the U.S. offered “six assurances” to Taiwan during the Reagan administration in 1982. The six assurances ensure that the U.S.:
1.has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan;
2. has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan;
3. will not play any mediation role between Taipei and Beijing;
4. has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act;
5. has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan;
6. will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.
The “six assurances”, along with the TRA, laid a solid foundation for U.S. policy toward Taiwan, which has helped to ensure Taiwan’s security and prosperity and allowed bilateral relations to prosper in the decades that followed.
Security Cooperation
The peace and stability for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific region has been the common interest of Taiwan and the U.S. It has also been highlighted in the joint statements of the U.S. with Japan, Korea, the G7, and other like-minded partners.
Security cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. has been crucial to Taiwan’s national security and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to work with the U.S. to strengthen its self-defense capabilities.
With adequate self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will continue to play a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and enhancing regional security.
Cooperation in Multilateral Forums
The U.S. continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, including World Health Assembly (WHA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and other key international organizations.
In 2021, the U.S. State Department issued a statement in support of Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system. Both sides regularly hold Taiwan-U.S.- Working Group Meetings on International Organizations. The U.S. has also continued to express strong support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations along with other like-minded partners in bilateral and multilateral meetings.
In June 2015, Taiwan and the U.S. established the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) (https://www.gctf.tw/en/), a platform to utilize Taiwan’s strengths and expertise to address global issues of mutual concern. In recent years, the GCTF has held international workshops on such topics as public health, law enforcement cooperation, women empowerment, energy efficiency, e-commerce, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HA/DR), and media literacy. Japan and Australia became full partners of the GCTF in 2019 and 2021.
Other Close Cooperation (Please check the following links)
Taiwan-U.S. Economic Relations
Taiwan-U.S. Agricultural Relations
Taiwan-U.S. Educational Relations
Taiwan-U.S. Scientific and Technological Relations
