A bipartisan group of 12 senators has sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning against "unilateral changes" to American policy toward Taiwan, as President Trump visits China this week for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Tuesday letter reaffirmed congressional support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which for nearly five decades has been the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan ties. The senators wrote they believed "there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new declaratory policy on Taiwan."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic senators who signed the letter emphasized that maintaining the Taiwan Relations Act is essential to U.S. interests across the Indo-Pacific region. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and other Democrats argued that the legislation has helped ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and that any deviation could undermine American credibility with regional allies.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said in the letter that "maintaining this commitment is necessary to ensure the credibility of U.S. security commitments to allies and partners in the region and beyond." The Democratic signers also included Sens. Michael Bennet (Colo.), Andy Kim (N.J.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Chris Coons (Del.), Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Brian Schatz (Hawaii).
What the Right Is Saying
Republican senators who joined the bipartisan letter framed their concerns around consistency in American foreign policy commitments. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) signed the letter alongside Republican Sens. John Curtis (Utah) and Thom Tillis (N.C.), suggesting that support for Taiwan transcends typical partisan divisions.
The Republicans argued that the 1979 legislation, which authorizes the U.S. to provide Taiwan with defense articles and services sufficient for self-defense capability, represents a longstanding bipartisan commitment that should not be altered without congressional input.
What the Numbers Show
The letter was signed by all 12 senators from both parties who participated in the effort to reaffirm the Taiwan Relations Act. The legislation created nondiplomatic and unofficial relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, allowing the island to be treated as a foreign country without formal recognition.
Trump's visit to China marks the first state visit to that country since his previous administration trip nine years ago. China has maintained that it views Taiwan as part of its territory and has stated willingness to use force if necessary to achieve reunification.
The Bottom Line
The bipartisan letter signals congressional resistance to any potential shift in U.S.-Taiwan policy during Trump's current term, particularly as he meets with Chinese leadership. The involvement of McConnell, the highest-ranking Republican to sign, underscores the depth of support for maintaining existing frameworks. What the Trump administration may propose regarding Taiwan remains to be seen, but senators from both parties have made clear they expect any changes to involve congressional consultation rather than unilateral action.