Landmark Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Codify Six Assurances to Taiwan and Bolster U.S.-Taiwan Deterrence
On May 15, a bipartisan group of lawmakers — led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), along with Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Young Kim (R-CA), Zach Nunn (R-ID), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) — introduced the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act (H.R.3452). This landmark bill aims to codify the Six Assurances, a cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Taiwan, and to require Congressional oversight of any future attempts to alter or undermine them. It alsoreaffirms America’s longstanding commitments to Taiwan’s security and stability.
The bill comes amid escalating cross-Strait tension and growing concern over Chinese military aggression. At a May 15 hearing held by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), titled “Deterrence Amid Rising Tensions: Preventing CCP Aggression on Taiwan,” U.S. lawmakers emphasized the urgent need to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
“[America] does not want a war over Taiwan,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Select Committee’s Ranking Member and sponsor of the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act. “A CCP attack on Taiwan would be unacceptable for our prosperity, security, and our values. We will not tolerate actions that put peace at risk.”
As the “Davidson window” narrows and the near-term threat of an attack on Taiwan grows, Committee Chair Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) added: “Deterrence delayed is deterrence denied.”
“The Six Assurances Act codifies long-standing U.S. policy and commitments, sending a clear and unmistakable message of deterrence: Taiwan is not up for negotiation; the United States will not consult with the People’s Republic of China on arms sales to Taiwan; and Washington will not mediate cross-Strait sovereignty disputes,” said Dr. Su-Mei Kao, National President of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA).
“Peace in Taiwan is vital to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific and to advancing the shared interests of the United States and Taiwan,” Dr. Kao continued. “FAPA has long championed the Six Assurances as a cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Taiwan. In 2016, we successfully urged Congress to pass a resolution reaffirming both the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as foundational pillars of the U.S.-Taiwan partnership.
“It is critical that Congress now pass the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act to enshrine these principled, long-standing commitments into law and bolster deterrence at a time of growing cross-Strait tension,” she concluded.
Read the full text of the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act here.
Sources:
[1] FAPA
[2] House Select Committee on the CCP – Democrats
U.S. Senators Introduce PORCUPINE Act to Streamline Arms Sales to Taiwan
On May 13, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act, or PORCUPINE Act (S.1744), which aims to streamline the process for arms sales to Taiwan.
The bill would place Taiwan into the “NATO-Plus” category — a group that includes Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand — enabling shorter Congressional notification periods and higher weapons value thresholds.
Under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the U.S. president is required to formally notify Congress 30 days prior to approving the sale, enhancement, or upgrading of:
- Major defense equipment valued at US$14 million or more
- Defense articles and services valued at US$50 million or more
- Design and construction services valued at $200 million or more
For NATO and NATO Plus countries, the president’s notification period is shortened to 15 days, while the value thresholds are raised to US$25 million, US$100 million, and US$300 million for each respective category. Under the PORCUPINE Act, these streamlined procedures would also apply to Taiwan.
The bill also requires the U.S. Secretary of State to establish an expedited decision-making process for transferring defense articles and services from NATO members or NATO-Plus countries to Taiwan.
“Our antiquated arms sales process and struggling defense industrial base have prevented Taiwan from getting the weapons it needs in a timely manner. The PORCUPINE Act will make it easier for us to send arms to Taiwan, quicker, while also creating a process for our closest allies and partners to do the same,” Senator Ricketts stated in a May 13 press release.
“China isn’t going to bide its time and wait for arms sales to be completed before launching an attack,” said Senator Coons. “Passing the PORCUPINE Act today is the first of many steps we need to take to update our arms sales process and ensure our Taiwanese partners have what they need to defend themselves.”
Sources:
[1] Sen. Pete Ricketts’ Office
[2] Focus Taiwan
[3] Taipei Times
Taiwan Conducts First Live-Fire Drill of U.S.-Made HIMARS
On May 12, Taiwan’s military conducted its first live-fire drill using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, marking a key milestone in efforts to bolster the nation’s defense capabilities against a potential Chinese invasion.
The exercise, carried out by the Army’s 58th Artillery Command, took place at Jiupeng Base in Pingtung County and was observed by members of the press. A total of 33 rockets were launched, with each of the 11 HIMARS vehicles firing three rounds.
Colonel Ho Chih-chung told reporters that technical personnel from the U.S. supplier were also on-site to provide support during the live-fire exercise.
Taiwan has procured 29 HIMARS units from the United States. The first batch of 11 units was delivered in 2024, with the remaining units now expected to arrive in 2026 — moved up from the original 2027 timeline.
Mounted on trucks, HIMARS launchers can be equipped with either a pod of six 227mm guided rockets or a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of up to 300 kilometers.
With that range, ATACMS missiles could strike strategic targets in China’s coastal Fujian Province across the Taiwan Strait in the event of a conflict.
