Today, Representative John Curtis (R-UT), member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation, introduced the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act with Representatives Albio Sires (D-NJ), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Vicente González (D-TX), and Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX).

The bipartisan legislation is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s standing around the world and comes in response to increased Chinese pressure intended to restrict Taiwan’s international space and global diplomatic recognition. 

“My time as a missionary for the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan provided a unique understanding of the history and culture in the region. Almost four decades later, I am still committed to advocating on behalf of Taiwan and the Taiwanese people,” said Curtis. “Our relationship with Taiwan is an important alliance and we must do all we can to empower their democracy and free-market economy. The TAIPEI Act is bipartisan, doesn't cost the American taxpayer a cent, and it combats Chinese bullying tactics. Win, win, win.”

Background 

The TAIPEI Act recommends a US strategy to engage with governments around the world to support Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition or to strengthen unofficial ties with Taiwan, calls on the State Department to exercise a range of diplomatic and assistance options with regard to any government that takes adverse actions with regard to Taiwan, and articulates a clear US policy to support Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations. The bill also calls on the Administration to immediately begin negotiations on a US–Taiwan Free Trade Agreement.

The Congressman has also fought to protect Taiwan from being treated unfairly on the international stage. In September, he introduced legislation to addresses politically-motivated abuse of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) by autocracies [Click HERE to read more]. He also led a bipartisan letter with 46 of his colleagues to US Attorney General William Barr and Secretary Pompeo regarding Taiwan’s lack of participation in Interpol [SEE HERE]. In May, two of Rep. Curtis’ bills passed the house: H.R. 2002 — “To foster security in Taiwan, and for other purposes” and H. Res. 273 — “Reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act. Click [HERE] to read more.

Earlier this month, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed a Senate version of the bill. Click[HERE] to read more.

Full text of the bill can be found [HERE].

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