# 119-s-1588: Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025

119-s-1588, Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced (as of 2025-12-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1588
- As of: 2025-12-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1588
- Congress: 119
- Title: Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-05-05
- Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-12-21

## Summary

**Strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations and counter coercion from the People's Republic of China (PRC).** This bill would create a coordinated U.S. strategy to deepen diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Taiwan while protecting Taiwan and U.S. actors from PRC influence operations. - Promotes Taiwan's international participation and trade. It would push to expand Taiwan's role in international organizations and prioritize negotiations for a bilateral free-trade agreement that includes labor and environmental protections for Taiwan's more than 23 million people. - Bolsters Taiwan's self-defense and regional deterrence. It would urge Taiwan to invest in asymmetric defense, invite Taiwan into high-level security dialogues and exercises, and require a 180-day joint assessment of military postures in the Taiwan Strait. - Strengthens U.S. policy machinery and representation. It would create an interagency Taiwan Policy Task Force and set rules for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director, including the title 'Representative' and a 60-day vacancy fill deadline. - Protects businesses, media, and civil society from coercion. It would require a 90-day initial report and a 180-day bilateral strategy to counter "sharp power" such as disinformation, economic coercion, academic censorship, and targeted cyber intrusions.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT] (R-UT), 2025-05-05T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- U.S. strategy to counter sharp power: benefit, medium. If enacted, the State Department would first send Congress a report within 90 days on how to protect U.S. businesses and NGOs from PRC coercion. Within 180 days it would deliver a broader strategy on helping Taiwan resist PRC influence, disinformation, and election interference. The reports must de…
- Interagency Taiwan task force and reports: benefit, low. If enacted, the President would create an Interagency Taiwan Policy Task Force within 90 days. The Task Force would include senior White House and Cabinet officials and would feed material into existing congressionally required Taiwan reports each year. The State and Defense Departments must also p…
- Keep a senior U.S. representative in Taipei: benefit, low. If enacted, the President would appoint the American Institute in Taiwan Director with Senate approval and the position would carry the title 'Representative.' If the job is vacant more than 60 days, a senior Foreign Service Officer would be named acting Director until a new Director is confirmed.
- More Taiwan participation and trade talks: benefit, low. If enacted, the U.S. would make it policy to invite Taiwan to high-level summits, multilateral forums, and military exercises. The bill would push to resume U.S.–Taiwan trade and investment talks and prioritize negotiating a bilateral free-trade agreement with strong labor and environmental rules.…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-5433: Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act

## Sources
- [119-s-1588 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1588)

## Related
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-5433: Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5433)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1588 (as of 2025-12-21).