    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-135
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To express United States support for Taiwan's diplomatic alliances
    around the world. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan Allies International
    Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019''.
    SEC. 2. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
    (1) The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-8)
    states that it is the policy of the United States ``to preserve
    and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural,
    and other relations between the people of the United States and
    the people on Taiwan''.
    (2) The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 states that it is the
    policy of the United States ``to maintain the capacity of the
    United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of
    coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or
    economic system, of the people on Taiwan''.
    (3) Taiwan is a free, democratic, and prosperous nation of
    23,000,000 people and an important contributor to peace and
    stability around the world.
    (4) Since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen as
    President of Taiwan in 2016, the Government of the People's
    Republic of China has intensified its efforts to pressure
    Taiwan.
    (5) Since 2016, the Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Panama,
    the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, the Solomon
    Islands, and Kiribati have severed diplomatic relations with
    Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with China.
    (6) Taiwan currently maintains full diplomatic relations
    with 15 nations around the world.
    (7) Taiwan's unique relationship with the United States,
    Australia, India, Japan, and other countries are of significant
    benefit in strengthening Taiwan's economy and preserving its
    international space.
    (8) According to President Tsai Ing-wen, the severance of
    diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations
    with China is ``part of a series of diplomatic and military acts
    of coercion'' by China.
    (9) The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law
    115-409) states that--

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    (A) it is United States policy ``to support the
    close economic, political, and security relationship
    between Taiwan and the United States''; and
    (B) the President should--
    (i) ``conduct regular transfers of defense
    articles to Taiwan that are tailored to meet the
    existing and likely future threats from the
    People's Republic of China, including supporting
    the efforts of Taiwan to develop and integrate
    asymmetric capabilities, as appropriate, including
    mobile, survivable, and cost-effective
    capabilities, into its military forces''; and
    (ii) ``encourage the travel of high-level
    United States officials to Taiwan, in accordance
    with the Taiwan Travel Act''.
    SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH
    TAIWAN.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
    (1) the United States and Taiwan have built a strong
    economic partnership, with the United States now Taiwan's second
    largest trading partner and with Taiwan the 11th largest trading
    partner of the United States and a key destination for United
    States agricultural exports;
    (2) strong United States-Taiwan economic relations have been
    a positive factor in stimulating economic growth and job
    creation for the people of both the United States and Taiwan;
    and
    (3) the United States Trade Representative should consult
    with Congress on opportunities for further strengthening
    bilateral trade and economic relations between the United States
    and Taiwan.
    SEC. 4. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH REGARD TO TAIWAN'S
    PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

    It should be the policy of the United States--
    (1) to advocate, as appropriate--
    (A) for Taiwan's membership in all international
    organizations in which statehood is not a requirement
    and in which the United States is also a participant;
    and
    (B) for Taiwan to be granted observer status in
    other appropriate international organizations;
    (2) to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the
    United States Government in all organizations described in
    paragraph (1) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the
    United States to advocate for Taiwan's membership or observer
    status in such organizations; and
    (3) for the President or the President's designees to
    advocate, as appropriate, for Taiwan's membership or observer
    status in all organizations described in paragraph (1) as part
    of any relevant bilateral engagements between the United States
    and the People's Republic of China, including leader summits and
    the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.
    SEC. 5. STRENGTHENING OF TIES WITH TAIWAN.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
    States Government should--

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    (1) support Taiwan in strengthening its official diplomatic
    relationships as well as other partnerships with countries in
    the Indo-Pacific region and around the world;
    (2) consider, in certain cases as appropriate and in
    alignment with United States interests, increasing its economic,
    security, and diplomatic engagement with nations that have
    demonstrably strengthened, enhanced, or upgraded relations with
    Taiwan; and
    (3) consider, in certain cases as appropriate, in alignment
    with United States foreign policy interests and in consultation
    with Congress, altering its economic, security, and diplomatic
    engagement with nations that take serious or significant actions
    to undermine the security or prosperity of Taiwan.

    (b) <>  Report.--Not later than 1 year after the
    date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for five
    years, the Secretary of State shall report to the appropriate
    congressional committees on the steps taken in accordance with
    subsection (a).

    (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
    the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
    (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
    Appropriations, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
    (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
    Appropriations, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House
    of Representatives.

    Approved March 26, 2020.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1678:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
    Vol. 165 (2019):
    Oct. 29, considered and passed
    Senate.
    Vol. 166 (2020):
    Mar. 3, 4, considered and passed
    House, amended.
    Mar. 11, Senate concurred in House
    amendment.