US lawmakers introduce bill to boost ties with Taiwan amid tensions with Beijing

Legislation would mandate that US President Donald Trump review state department guidelines on relations with self-ruled island

Bill would also direct defence department to make efforts to include Taiwan in military training exercises and support arms sales

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US Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the influential foreign relations committee, offered the “Taiwan Assurance Act”. Photo: AP

Published: 1:10pm, 27 Mar 2019Updated: 10:54pm, 27 Mar 2019

US lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation seeking to boost Washington’s relations with Taiwan and raise the island’s international profile, which could heighten tensions with Beijing.

Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the influential foreign relations committee, along with Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz, and Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Chris Coons offered the “Taiwan Assurance Act”.

Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, plans to introduce a companion measure in the House.

Among other things, the bill would mandate that US President Donald Trump review state department guidelines on relations with Taiwan, direct the defence department to make efforts to include Taiwan in military training exercises and expresses congressional support for regular US arms sales to the island.

Among other things, the bill will mandate that US President Donald Trump review state department guidelines on relations with Taiwan. Photo: AP

“This legislation would deepen bilateral security, economic and cultural relations, while also sending a message that China’s aggressive cross-Strait behaviour will not be tolerated,” Cotton said in a statement.