TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed 17 bills, including four supporting Taiwan, during a committee business meeting on Wednesday.

The PORCUPINE Act, introduced by Senator Chris Coons and Pete Ricketts in May, would provide Taiwan with NATO-plus status for “shorter formal Congressional notification times and higher weapons value thresholds.” It would also speed up arms deliveries, including from direct commercial sales and foreign military sales.

The Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act, introduced by Senator Jim Risch this month, would establish a China Sanctions Task Force to punish China with sanctions and economic actions if it attempted to “take physical or political control of Taiwan.” 

The United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act was introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Pete Ricketts. It would support Latin American and Caribbean nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The bill would also establish a mechanism to monitor and respond to Chinese-funded infrastructure and development projects in Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.

The Taiwan International Solidarity Act, introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen and John Curtis in July, would encourage the US to advocate for Taiwan’s global status and counter China’s efforts to influence public perceptions of Taiwan.

Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, the conveners of the meeting, said, “America will be a safer place thanks to the bipartisan work of our colleagues, and we look forward to each bill becoming law.” 

The passing of these bills comes ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit next week. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) assured that US support for Taiwan remains unchanged. "The US has repeatedly told us that it remains steadfast in its support for Taiwan and that its exchanges with China will not harm Taiwan's interests," Lin said during a legislative session on Wednesday, per CNA.