Taiwan Deepens European Relationship Through High-Level Diplomacy, Parliamentary Outreach, and Democratic Engagement
Taiwan is making a significant diplomatic breakthrough to deepen its engagement with Europe. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim delivered a landmark address on November 7 at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) annual summit in Brussels — the first time a sitting Taiwanese vice president has spoken at the European Parliament. Just days later, on November 10, former President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a keynote at the Berlin Freedom Conference, invoking Taiwan’s democratic journey and aligning with Europe’s values.
IPAC — the host platform of Hsiao’s speech and a cross-party network of 290 lawmakers from 43 democracies — coordinates democratic responses to China’s growing aggression and authoritarian influence. In her remarks, Hsiao framed Taiwan as a strategic democratic partner, calling for deeper cooperation on supply-chain resilience, technology, and security, and emphasizing that peace in the Taiwan Strait is vital to global prosperity.
Why It Matters
Founded in 2020, IPAC carries particular weight because it began as a cross-party international initiative co-founded by then–U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Rubio, now serving as Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor, has played a central role in shaping U.S. policy toward Taiwan. During his Senate tenure, Rubio consistently championed pro-Taiwan bills such as the Taiwan Travel Act, the Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act, and the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act.
The alliance’s efforts align with recently introduced U.S. legislation, including the PORCUPINE Act (Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act) and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act.
IPAC also provides Taiwan with a rare venue for meaningful international participation in collective efforts to counter China’s aggression. Hsiao’s speech as a sitting Taiwanese vice president inside the European Parliament complex marks a new level of access and signals Europe’s growing willingness to engage Taiwan on strategic and security concerns.
Former President Tsai’s keynote at the Berlin Freedom Conference — a forum focused on defending open societies — further reinforced this message. Her remarks resonated with European audiences who are increasingly attentive to authoritarian threats, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Congressional Attention
Taiwan’s growing presence in European forums like IPAC aligns with the bipartisan view in Congress that the U.S., Europe, and Indo-Pacific democracies must work together to counter coercion by the Chinese Communist Party.
The U.S. Congress also maintains close ties to IPAC. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, joined the alliance in 2024.
In May 2025, IPAC, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and the House CCP Committee released a Joint Statement on Transatlantic Unity on China, co-signed by Reps. Moolenaar, Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA). The statement reaffirmed shared commitments to democratic solidarity and support for Taiwan, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security.
Implications
Hsiao’s appearance at the European Parliament is a positive step toward bolstering U.S.–EU coordination on defense cooperation and semiconductor security, particularly as Europe begins framing Taiwan as a partner in critical technology governance. Such a partnership is particularly crucial as China continues to escalate its gray-zone pressures, economic coercion, and efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.
Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taiwan’s Presidential Office (Full Text of VP Hsiao’s Speech)
[3] Taipei Times
[4] Select Committee on the CCP
[5] IPAC (Full Text of Joint Statement)
Rep. Adam Smith Highlights FY2026 NDAA Push for Taiwan’s RIMPAC Participation and Defense Cooperation
At a November 6 Atlantic Council forum, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) said that inviting Taiwan to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) would send a clear signal of allied resolve to support Taiwan’s defense and deter potential military action by China. He emphasized that Taiwan’s RIMPAC involvement would demonstrate that defending Taiwan is a shared international priority.
Smith’s remarks align with a broader congressional push reflected in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which seeks to turn long-standing bipartisan support for Taiwan into concrete, operational defense cooperation. By linking multilateral exercises, joint co-production programs, and accelerated weapons delivery, lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon to move beyond symbolic support and toward a more credible and tangible deterrence posture.
Why It Matters
RIMPAC was attended by 29 countries in 2024, and included 40 surface vessels, three submarines, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.
Smith stressed that RIMPAC’s scale makes it one of the most potent tools for delivering a clear, multinational signal to Beijing: coercion or aggression toward Taiwan will not be tolerated, and the U.S. and other nations would aid Taiwan’s defense.
Taiwan’s RIMPAC participation would: demonstrate broad allied unity in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability; raise the operational and political costs for Beijing in any Taiwan contingency; and improve interoperability between Taiwan and regional partners.
Analysts, including U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Halsell, concur, noting that Taiwan’s participation would shift deterrence from statements to action and reinforce the expectation of a multilateral response in a crisis.
Growing Congressional Momentum
The proposed FY2026 NDAA contains some of the strongest pro-Taiwan language to date. Key provisions in the Senate’s version (S.2296) include:
- Strong encouragement for the invitation of Taiwan’s naval forces to RIMPAC 2026.
- A requirement for the Secretary of Defense to submit a written justification to Congress (within 30 days) if Taiwan is not invited.
- Authorization of US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.
- Streamlined Foreign Military Sales (FMS) through prioritized orders for critical purchasers, including Taiwan, alongside other key allies.
- Direction for the Pentagon to co-develop and co-produce uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems.
- A requirement for a report on Taiwan’s critical digital infrastructure in the event of a Chinese invasion or blockade.
Collectively, these measures reflect Congress’s broader shift toward rapid, practical deterrence, connecting RIMPAC participation to deeper training, industrial cooperation, and accelerated weapons delivery. Taiwan’s potential participation is also consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, which commits the U.S. to maintain the ability to resist coercion against Taiwan.
Implications
RIMPAC participation would normalize Taiwan’s engagement in multilateral defense cooperation and raise the complexity of any coercive scenario Beijing might attempt. Halsell notes that regional partners — especially Japan and the Philippines — would likely support Taiwan’s inclusion, viewing it as stabilizing rather than provocative.
NDAA-driven initiatives, including expanded joint exercises and deeper defense co-production, will continue to strengthen Taiwan’s deterrence posture and improve interoperability with Indo-Pacific allies.
