S. 3208: Six Assurances to Taiwan Act

The Six Assurances to Taiwan Act aims to formally codify a set of assurances previously provided by the United States to Taiwan, which outline the U.S.'s stance on arms sales, mediation roles, and recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty regarding the People's Republic of China (PRC). The bill consists of several components:

Codification of the Six Assurances

The act reaffirms six key points that the U.S. has historically maintained concerning its relationship with Taiwan:

• The U.S. has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
• The U.S. has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.
• The U.S. will not engage in mediation between Taiwan and the PRC.
• The U.S. has not sought to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
• The U.S. does not take a position on the sovereignty of Taiwan.
• The U.S. will not pressure Taiwan into negotiations with the PRC.

Recognition of Congressional Role

The legislation mandates that before the President can take certain actions related to Taiwan, such as changing arms sales, negotiating with the PRC, or altering policies on Taiwan's sovereignty, the President must notify Congress. This notification includes details about the proposed action, its reasons, and its implications for U.S. foreign policy and security interests relating to Taiwan and the PRC.

Congressional Review Process

Once the notification is submitted, Congress has a specified period (usually 30 days) to review it. During this time, congressional committees may hold hearings and provide their assessments. Significant limitations are placed on the executive branch's ability to proceed with any actions during this review period unless Congress grants approval through a joint resolution.

Protection Against Coercion

The act emphasizes U.S. support for Taiwan's efforts to maintain its democratic and economic status against pressure or coercion from the PRC. It expresses Congress's stance that any unilateral changes to Taiwan's status should not occur without mutual consent from both Taiwan and the PRC.

Maintaining Peace in the Taiwan Strait

The act conveys the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait as being vital to U.S. political, security, and economic interests and stresses the need for peaceful resolution concerning Taiwan's future.

Severability Clause

The bill includes a provision stating that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions of the act will continue to be enforced.

Relevant Companies

• BA - Boeing: As a major defense contractor, Boeing may be impacted by changes in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
• RTX - Raytheon Technologies: As a defense firm involved in weapons systems, any legislative changes regarding arms could affect contracts and sales.
• LOCK - Lockheed Martin: Being a primary supplier of military equipment, Lockheed Martin’s operations related to Taiwan could be influenced by this Act.