TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US House of Representatives removed language urging Taiwan’s participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) from the latest National Defense Authorization Act.
The Senate's earlier version had encouraged the Pentagon to invite Taiwan to the drills, per BCC News. It also required the defense secretary to justify to Congress any decision not to include Taiwan’s Navy within 30 days.
However, the text made public by the House Rules Committee on Sunday no longer contains this provision.
The House version directs the defense secretary to work with the secretary of state through the American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan’s “appropriate officials” to develop uncrewed and counter-uncrewed system capabilities. It also requires both secretaries to submit annual progress reports on joint programs through 2029.
The bill allocates NT$31.15 billion (US$1 billion) for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. It also aims to expand US–Taiwan coast guard cooperation by increasing joint training, adding training slots for Taiwan Coast Guard personnel, and assessing the benefits of such collaboration.
Held every two years, RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise and enhances interoperability among Indo-Pacific militaries. The US Navy calls it a unique training opportunity essential for maintaining cooperation and ensuring the security of sea lanes.
