Trump signs law mandating regular reviews of US-Taiwan engagement guidelines

United States President Donald Trump has signed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act into law, reaffirming bipartisan US support for Taiwan and mandating periodic updates to official contact guidelines.

The law, signed on 3 December (US time), requires the Department of State to review its internal guidance on US-Taiwan engagement at least once every five years. This is a shift from the 2020 Taiwan Assurance Act, which only required a single review.

Following each review, the State Department must report its findings to the Senate and House foreign affairs committees within 90 days.

The new law is aimed at ensuring the long-term adaptability and consistency of US policy on Taiwan amid shifting geopolitical conditions.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office expressed sincere appreciation to Trump following the signing.

Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo said the enactment of the law held "great significance" in affirming the value of US-Taiwan interactions and supporting stronger bilateral relations.

Kuo added that the act "stands as a firm symbol of our shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights."

She emphasised that Taiwan and the US share fundamental democratic values, and that a robust Taiwan-US relationship is crucial to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan, she said, would continue to deepen partnerships across various sectors and act as a reliable force for global development, while working alongside the US and like-minded countries to ensure regional peace and prosperity.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also welcomed the signing of the Act in a post on his official X account on 4 December, expressing appreciation to Donald Trump and emphasising the importance of continued US-Taiwan engagement. He also pledged to deepen cooperation across all sectors to support regional peace and stability.

President Lai’s remarks reinforce Taiwan’s intention to deepen cooperation with the US across multiple sectors, including security and economic affairs.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also issued a statement welcoming the legislation, calling it a means to strengthen the implementation of the original Taiwan Assurance Act.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked both the US administration and Congress for their ongoing bipartisan support, calling the move “a major step forward in US-Taiwan relations.”

While the law does not dictate specific contact arrangements, Lin said that more frequent reviews could enable deeper engagement, such as allowing Taiwanese officials to meet US counterparts at federal agencies.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced in February by US Representatives Ann Wagner, Ted Lieu, and the late Gerry Connolly. It passed the House unanimously in May and received unanimous consent in the Senate in November.

The act underscores US legislative commitment to Taiwan, with both major political parties showing unity on the issue.

The history of US contact with Taiwan has been marked by restrictions introduced after the US ended diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979. These internal State Department guidelines—informally known as “red lines”—limited official contact between American and Taiwanese officials.

In January 2021, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo removed all such restrictions. The Biden administration later reinstated them but adopted a more relaxed approach, permitting regular interactions between US officials and Taiwan’s representatives.

Under the revised framework, meetings are allowed at federal agencies and at Taiwan’s representative office in Washington, reflecting an evolving policy environment.

The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act institutionalises the need for periodic reassessment of these guidelines, giving Congress oversight over the State Department’s approach to Taiwan engagement.

Observers view the law as a reinforcement of US-Taiwan ties amid heightened regional tensions and global concern over cross-strait stability.