H.R. 3452: Six Assurances to Taiwan Act

This bill, titled the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, aims to reinforce U.S. commitments to Taiwan through the formal codification of the "Six Assurances," which are principles regarding U.S.-Taiwan relations. Below are the key points of the bill:

Key Provisions

1. Codification of the Six Assurances: The bill clarifies that the United States has not agreed to end arms sales to Taiwan, will not consult with China on these sales, will avoid mediating negotiations between Taiwan and China, will maintain the Taiwan Relations Act without any revisions, will not take a position on Taiwan's sovereignty, and will not exert pressure on Taiwan to negotiate with China.
2. Congressional Review Requirement: Before the President can take specific actions related to the Six Assurances, such as pausing arms sales or negotiating with China, the President must notify Congress, which will review the proposed actions. This notification process ensures that Congress has oversight of significant changes to U.S. policy regarding Taiwan.
3. Timeframe for Congressional Review: Congress will have a designated period (usually 30 days, extending to 60 days during certain times of the year) to hold hearings and briefings about the proposed actions. If Congress passes a resolution disapproving of the action, the President will be restricted from proceeding with it for a specified time.
4. Sense of Congress: The bill expresses Congress's belief that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is essential for U.S. interests, and any unilateral actions or negotiations regarding Taiwan's status should be avoided unless agreed upon by both sides.

Purpose of the Bill

The main objective of the bill is to fortify U.S. support for Taiwan, confirming the United States' commitment to democratic values and opposing coercive actions by the People's Republic of China (PRC) toward Taiwan. The bill aims to ensure that Taiwan can remain self-governed and secure, while reinforcing the idea that any changes to the status of Taiwan should be peaceful and agreed upon by both Taiwan and China.

Background

The Six Assurances were originally articulated during the Reagan Administration in the 1980s, following discussions with the PRC regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The assurances were intended to clarify the U.S. stance and commitments regarding Taiwan amidst the complexities of U.S.-China relations.

Implementation

If passed, the United States would adopt a more formalized stance regarding its defense commitments to Taiwan, solidifying a long-standing but somewhat informal set of principles that have guided U.S.-Taiwan relations for decades.

Relevant Companies

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