Calling for U.S.-Taiwan Diplomatic Ties (H.Con.Res.8)
Taiwan has long met all the criteria of statehood under international law, including a permanent population, a defined territory, a central government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. As a result, Taiwan has existed as a sovereign, independent state for decades and deserves formal recognition from and diplomatic relations with all other nations.
Nonetheless, due to Beijing’s political and military pressure, along with Washington’s adherence to the “One China” policy, the United States maintains only unofficial relations with Taiwan. Although the U.S. “One China policy” merely “acknowledges” rather than “recognizes” the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China, this policy has led to dangerous misinterpretations by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and widespread public misconceptions that the U.S. “accepts” the PRC’s sovereignty claim over Taiwan.
For many people, it is easy to confuse the U.S.’ “One China policy” with the PRC’s fictitious “One China principle,” which falsely asserts that Taiwan is “an inalienable part of China.”
The United States maintains normal diplomatic ties with nearly every country, except North Korea, Iran, Bhutan, and Taiwan. Given that Taiwan is a key U.S. geopolitical ally in the first island chain, a full-fledged democracy that upholds human rights, and one of the world’s most important trading economies, the U.S. should conduct another Taiwan Policy Review and move toward normalizing its relations with Taiwan.
On February 6, 2025, U.S. Representatives Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Scott Perry (R-PA) led 22 members of Congress in reintroducing a concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res.8) urging the U.S. government to resume formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and abolish its “One China policy.” The resolution also advocates for U.S. support of Taiwan’s full membership in international organizations and the negotiation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Taiwan.