Taiwan-U.S. Relations: Developments and Policy Implications
Abstract
Policy toward and support for Taiwan are a key element in U.S. relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and an important component of U.S. policy in Asia. Official U.S. relations with the Republic of China (ROC) government on Taiwan became a casualty of the U.S. decision to recognize the PRC government as China's sole legitimate government. Since then, unofficial U.S. relations with Taiwan have been built on the framework of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA - P.L. 96-8) and shaped by three U.S.-PRC communiques. Under these, the United States maintains official relations with the PRC, but continues to have unique and critical interests in Taiwan, including significant commercial ties, objections to PRC threats to use force against Taiwan, arms sales and security assurances, and support for Taiwan's democratic development. U.S. policy today remains rooted in a general notion of maintaining the "status quo" between Taiwan and the PRC. But other factors have changed dramatically since 1979, including growing PRC power and importance, Taiwan's democratization, and the deepening of Taiwan-PRC economic and social linkages. These changes have led to periodic discussions about the efficacy of current U.S. policy and whether or not it should be reviewed or changed. Legislation in the 111th Congress concerning Taiwan includes H.Con.Res. 18, urging that the United States resume diplomatic relations with Taiwan; and H.Con.Res. 55, expressing U.S. support for and commitment to Taiwan. This report will be updated as events warrant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501077
Entities
People
- Kerry Dumbaugh
Organizations
- Library of Congress