Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives that would direct the Department of Defense to establish a formal partnership with Taiwan. The effort is led by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), and Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI) of the House Select Committee on China.
The proposed legislation aims to boost joint defense industrial capabilities between the United States and Taiwan. The initiative is intended to counter China's rapid advances in military technology, especially in areas where technology can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The bill calls for coordination in research and development as well as fostering partnerships between U.S. and Taiwanese defense companies. Specific areas of focus include co-development of drones, microchips, directed-energy weapons, and missile systems.
"With each passing day, Xi Jinping expands coercion aimed at Taiwan," said Chairman Moolenaar. "This legislation would strengthen critical defense industrial collaboration with Taiwan while enhancing our shared readiness against an increasingly threatening Beijing."
Representative Nunn emphasized the urgency posed by China’s intentions toward Taiwan. "The Chinese Communist Party has made clear its intent to take Taiwan by 2027," said Rep. Nunn. "The defense partnership laid out in this bill will be a critical deterrence tool, accelerating Taiwan’s access to next-generation U.S. technology and giving them the asymmetric edge they need to defend their sovereignty."
The full text of the bill is available online.
