Congress is attempting to bolster U.S. support for Taiwan and streamline the process for providing defensive weaponry to the island nation.
On Wednesday, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Taiwan PLUS Act, a bill designed to cut through bureaucratic red tape and improve the efficiency of defense coordination in the face of what lawmakers describe as “growing aggression from Communist China.”
The legislation aims to elevate Taiwan’s status for the purpose of arms sales to that of “NATO Plus” partners. This group, which currently includes Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand, benefits from a higher threshold for congressional notification of weapons sales, thereby expediting the process of military aid.
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“Communist China has tried to intimidate and overpower our ally, Taiwan for years,” Senator Scott stated. “Communist China has made clear they are more than willing to invade Taiwan as it continues its attacks on democracy around the world, and the United States must make clear we will continue to stand by Taiwan.” He emphasized that the Taiwan PLUS Act “will cut red tape and make it faster and easier for Taiwan to purchase the weapons it needs from the U.S. to defend itself should Communist China invade.”
Highlighting Taiwan’s strategic importance, Senator Scott added, “Taiwan is a critical partner in the Indo-Pacific, and the U.S. must act with urgency to strengthen our defense ties to help our nation and our ally counter these threats from Communist China.”
Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
He echoed Senator Scott’s concerns, stating, “Taiwan is on the front lines of CCP’s growing aggression, and it’s time our policies reflect the urgency of the threat. This legislation streamlines our arms sales process to Taiwan, strengthens deterrence, and solidifies our commitment to defending American interests in the Indo-Pacific.”
The bill titled, “To improve defense cooperation between the United States and Taiwan, and for other purposes,” outlines several findings supporting the proposed changes. It notes Taiwan’s significant trading relationship with the U.S., its existing status as a major non-NATO ally for defense transfers, and the long history of U.S. arms sales to support Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities as mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act.
The legislation points to data from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) indicating Taiwan was the largest U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer in fiscal year 2020 and the third-largest from fiscal years 1950 through 2020. It also highlights recommendations from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Commission to raise the congressional notification threshold for arms sales to Taiwan to the highest tier.
Specifically, the Taiwan PLUS Act proposes that for a 5-year period, Taiwan be treated as a “NATO Plus” country under relevant sections of the Arms Export Control Act. This period can be extended by the Secretary of State if deemed in the national security interests of the United States.
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