TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Senate and House members on Wednesday introduced a new act that would treat Taiwan as a “NATO Plus” country, accelerating access to US weapons.

Senator Rick Scott and Representative Scott Perry introduced the Taiwan PLUS Act in the afternoon, per CNA. Like the PORCUPINE Act introduced last week, the bill seeks to simplify the arms sales process to Taiwan and grant the country the same treatment as members of the NATO Plus group, comprising Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand.

The bill cites data from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, noting that Taiwan was the largest Foreign military sales customer in 2020. From 1950 to 2020, Taiwan ranked as the third-largest purchaser of US arms, tied with Japan. 

Since 2010, the State Department has notified Congress of more than US$41 billion (NT$1.2315 trillion) in arms sales to Taiwan. American arms sales to Taiwan since 2001 total US$56 billion.

The bill also points out that Taiwan is already designated a major non-NATO ally of the US “for purposes of the transfer or possible transfer of defense 3 articles or defense services.” The Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 contain provisions requiring the US to provide Taiwan with sufficient defense capabilities.

In addition, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a congressional body, recommended in its 2019 report that Congress raise Taiwan’s arms sales treatment to be on par with that of formal US allies. The commission reaffirmed this recommendation in its 2024 report.

Given that Beijing has not ruled out annexing Taiwan by force, Scott said the US “must make clear we will continue to stand by Taiwan.” The proposed legislation would cut red tape and allow Taiwan to acquire needed weapons from the US more quickly and easily, enabling it to better defend against a PLA invasion.

Perry added, “Taiwan is on the front lines of the CCP’s growing aggression." The Taiwan PLUS Act would streamline arms sales to Taiwan, enhance deterrence, and reinforce America’s commitment to defending its interests in the Indo-Pacific.

For the bill to become law, the House and Senate must pass identical versions, and the president must sign them.