A key US congressional panel last week advanced four Taiwan-related bills aimed at strengthening the island’s energy security, communications resilience and diplomatic influence as lawmakers ramp up efforts to counter Beijing ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China in April.
The move by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee reflects a broader trend in Congress, where support for Taiwan often exceeds the administration’s position. Thursday’s coordinated action on the bills signals to the White House that the US-Taiwan partnership remains a priority.
Trump issued a new executive order Thursday that would impose unspecified tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba, in response to the island’s strong ties with China and Russia, part of his approach to mix pressure on China with engagement.
The Taiwan bills advancing on Thursday include the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act; the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act; the Taiwan Allies Fund Act; and the Strategic Subsea Cables Act, which seeks to broaden strategic cable protection. The four focus on practical risks Taiwan could face under heightened pressure or conflict with Beijing.
The Energy Security Act directs the US to prioritise energy and technology exports to Taiwan to counter potential blockades. An amendment noted that in 2024, the United States exported far more liquefied natural gas to Beijing than to Taipei.
The Undersea Cable Resilience Act addresses Taiwan’s vulnerable communications infrastructure.
Undersea cables carry almost all of the island’s internet and telecommunications traffic, and past incidents suggest interference by Beijing-linked vessels.
The bill requires advanced monitoring, rapid-response protocols, infrastructure hardening and the creation of a Cross-Strait Contingency Planning Group.
It also imposes sanctions, including asset freezes and visa restrictions, against any entities responsible for sabotaging critical infrastructure.
Building on this was the Strategic Subsea Cables Act, which aims to improve US strategic coordination with allies on subsea cables in key regions, including the Taiwan Strait, in the event of sabotage.
The Taiwan Allies Fund Act aims to counter Beijing’s muscular diplomacy. Since 2013, eleven countries have switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
The bill proposes US$120 million between 2026 and 2028 to support countries that maintain or strengthen ties with the self-governing island.
The Taiwan bills must still be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by President Trump to become law.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of China to be reunified by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not formally recognise Taiwan as independent, but Washington opposes any attempt to coerce or invade the island and is legally committed to supplying defensive weapons.
In a statement to the Post, China’s embassy in Washington described the bills as gross “violations” of the one-China principle, saying that infringing on “China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.
Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said that the measures send “a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces” and China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes this”.
He urged the US side to “halt the advancement of the Acts, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs”.
As part of a broader push against Beijing, Trump’s executive order said that Cuba “continues to build deep intelligence and defence cooperation” and “blatantly hosts dangerous” US adversaries.
Separately, the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act, which would lift restrictions on Taiwan officials displaying sovereignty symbols during visits to the United States, made no progress.
First introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in 2020, it has been reintroduced multiple times but remains stalled. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
