U.S. Senate Passes FY2026 NDAA with Robust Pro-Taiwan Provisions
On October 9, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (S. 2296), which contains multiple pro-Taiwan provisions aimed at strengthening U.S.–Taiwan defense cooperation, enhancing Taiwan’s deterrence capability, and supporting its international participation. The bill references “Taiwan” more than 40 times, reflecting strong bipartisan support in Congress.
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
The NDAA authorized $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative in FY2026 — more than triple the FY2025 level — to boost bilateral defense cooperation, military training, and combat-casualty care. The amount aligns with the version approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee in July.
Invitation to RIMPAC
The bill strongly encourages Taiwan’s participation in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest naval exercise, and requires the Secretary of Defense to explain any decision to exclude Taiwan. This represents a notable upgrade from previous NDAAs, which merely expressed support or directed an invitation, reflecting bipartisan and stronger congressional pressure to make U.S.–Taiwan defense cooperation more substantive.
Defense Acquisition Improvements
A provision specifically mandates that the foreign military sales (FMS) guidance prioritize timelines for critical purchasers, most notably Taiwan, alongside key allies such as Israel, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and NATO member states.
This measure directly addresses the $21.5 billion U.S. arms backlog to Taiwan and aligns with ongoing bipartisan legislative efforts — like the PORCUPINE Act and the Taiwan PLUS Act — to effectively treat Taiwan as a “NATO Plus” partner to expedite crucial arms deliveries by amending the Arms Export Control Act of 1976.
Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act
Also included in the NDAA package that passed the Senate is the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act (S. 1900), sponsored by Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). This measure directs the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, who also serves as the U.S. Governor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to “vigorously support the admission of Taiwan as a member” in the institution. A companion bill passed unanimously in the House on June 23.
U.S.–Taiwan Coast Guard Cooperation
The NDAA also authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard to expand and deepen its joint and integrated training with Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration. This cooperation is aimed at strengthening maritime security, law enforcement, and regional deterrence against threats like illegal fishing and illicit drug trafficking.
Drone and Defense Industrial Cooperation
The bill authorizes joint U.S.–Taiwan programs to co-develop and co-produce uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems. It further directs the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to establish a strategic partnership with counterparts in Taiwan to strengthen the country’s defense industrial base and counter China’s development of dual-use technologies.
Report on Taiwan’s Critical Digital Infrastructure
The NDAA requires the Department of Defense to report on Taiwan’s critical digital infrastructure in the event of a Chinese invasion or blockade. The report must assess vulnerabilities in data transfer and outline Taiwan’s existing capabilities, while also identifying potential U.S. actions to bolster network protection, including through resilient low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems.
Taiwan Security Assistance Roadmap
It also sets a limit on the travel expenses to be used by the office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense until it submits the “Taiwan Security Assistance Roadmap” — a multiyear plan to fulfill the defensive requirements of Taiwan’s military forces — and submits a report on the Pentagon’s activities necessary for supporting the potential establishment of a regional contingency stockpile for Taiwan.
What’s Next
The Senate bill now moves to conference negotiations with the House, which passed its version (H.R. 3838) on September 10. Lawmakers will now reconcile the differences before sending the final, unified NDAA to the President for signature later this year.
Sources:
[1] Central News Agency (in Hanji)
[2] Taipei Times
[3] Office of Sen. Dave McCormick
[4] Taiwan Security Monitor
U.S. and Allies Call for Taiwan’s Inclusion in ICAO
The United States and ten of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies voiced firm support for Taiwan’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) during the body’s 42nd Assembly, held from September 23 to October 3 in Montreal, Canada, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
ICAO, a specialized U.N. agency with 193 member states, sets global standards and policies to ensure aviation safety, security, and efficiency.
Safety Over Politics
Speaking at the ICAO Assembly on September 23, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that all international aviation stakeholders — particularly Taiwan — must be “meaningfully included” in ICAO’s technical activities.
“There is no room for politics on this question,” Duffy said. “This is about safety and security of the global system that we all enjoy, and of which Taiwan is an active part.”
MOFA confirmed that senior officials from ten of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, Palau, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, and Paraguay — also voiced support for Taiwan’s inclusion.
Growing Support from Legislatures
Beyond the ICAO assembly, international support for Taiwan’s participation continues to grow. According to MOFA, the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and 30 state legislatures, along with nearly 20 national and local parliaments around the world — including those of the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Israel, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Guatemala, Saint Christopher and Nevis, and Paraguay — have adopted resolutions, sent letters, or issued statements supporting Taiwan’s inclusion in ICAO.
MOFA expressed appreciation to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and like-minded countries for their continued support and reiterated its call for Taiwan’s inclusion in the ICAO’s assembly and related meetings, mechanisms, and activities.
Taiwan’s Unjustified Exclusion
Taiwan last attended the ICAO Assembly in 2013 as a guest of the council president, during a period of relatively warmer cross-strait relations. Since then, Beijing has intensified efforts to block Taiwan’s participation in U.N. bodies, including ICAO.
As Taiwan is not a U.N. member state, it remains unjustifiably excluded from ICAO despite its critical role in managing the Taipei Flight Information Region (Taipei FIR), a vital part of the international aviation network that handled more than 1.6 million flights in 2024.
