House Bill Seeks to Expedite Certain Controlled Exports to Taiwan
A new bill introduced by Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., would amend U.S. export regulations to allow Taiwan to more quickly import military goods and defend itself against a potential invasion by China. The text of the Taiwan Weapons Exports Act of 2022 (see 2206150013), released last week, said the bill would add Taiwan to Country Group A:5 under the Export Administration Regulations, which would expedite certain exports of “critical asymmetric defensive capabilities” to Taiwan. The addition of Taiwan to the country group would make it easier for it to import certain items through License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization, the bill said, including “undersea sensors, naval mines, man-portable air defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles.”
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“It is imperative that the United States provide Taiwan with defensive resources with urgency, not only so that Taiwan can better defend itself against military action by” China, the bill said, but also to “reduce the operational risk to the” U.S. if America decides to defend Taiwan from a future potential invasion by China.
The bill on June 13 was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. If it’s passed by Congress, the Commerce Department would be required to remove Taiwan from Country Group A:6 and add it to Group A:5 within 90 days after it becomes law.