U.S. Lawmakers Renew Support for Taiwan, Challenging CCP Influence

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Bolster Taiwan's Global Standing and Counter Chinese Coercion

Washington, D.C. – In a move signaling unwavering support, members of the United States House of Representatives have reintroduced legislation designed to bolster Taiwan's international standing and counter coercive tactics employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act, championed by Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi and backed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including Representatives John Moolenaar (R), Gregory Meeks (D), and Ted Lieu (D-劉雲平), seeks to provide crucial backing to Taiwan's allies and partners.

A companion bill in the Senate is being spearheaded by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D), John Curtis (R), and Andy Kim (D). The reintroduction follows Krishnamoorthi's earlier announcement in late March.

The legislation proposes a significant allocation of US$120 million over a three-year period, from 2026 to 2028, to furnish foreign assistance to Taiwan's official and unofficial partners who are targeted by the CCP's pressure campaigns.

The funds, as outlined in the bill, would be allocated to nations meeting specific criteria. These include countries that "maintain official relations with Taiwan or have meaningfully strengthened unofficial relations with Taiwan" and "have been subject to coercion or pressure by the People's Republic of China [PRC] due to their relations with Taiwan." Notably, no single country can receive more than US$5 million in any given fiscal year.

The proposed funding is earmarked for activities such as fortifying "the capacity and resilience of civil society, media, and other nongovernmental organizations in countering the influence and propaganda of the PRC."

To ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent overlap, the bill mandates coordination between the Secretary of State and the director of the American Institute in Taiwan, fostering collaboration with all relevant Taiwanese entities.

Representative Curtis emphasized the critical need for this legislation, stating, "China wants the world to turn a blind eye to its nefarious ambitions with Taiwan. We cannot allow nations to fall prey to China's pressure campaigns, which is why we've introduced bipartisan legislation to counter China's attempts to silence Taiwan's allies. Our bill helps countries stand strong in the face of the CCP and strengthen their ties with Taiwan."

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act, originally co-sponsored by Krishnamoorthi last year, unfortunately stalled in the Senate and did not become law.