White House resists Congress’ bid to overhaul U.S.-Taiwan relations

The legislation, dubbed the Taiwan Policy Act, is aimed at bolstering Taiwan’s defensive capabilities and deepening U.S. ties to the island. It reflects a bipartisan push for a different approach when it comes to China’s increasingly belligerent behavior, highlighted by the similarly cross-aisle praise for Pelosi’s historic visit to Taiwan last week.

But the Biden administration is once again deciding to try to cage congressional hawkishness when it comes to China and Taiwan — this time by pushing back on a popular bipartisan bill that the White House fears could upend its assurances to Beijing about maintaining America’s “One China” policy, a diplomatic acknowledgment of Beijing’s position that there is only one Chinese government…

Lawmakers said the administration’s reactions to both Pelosi’s trip and the new legislative push show that it’s being too cautious.

“They’re trying to stymie it and water it down, because they seem to approach every conflict that way,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who co-sponsored the bill. “We’re full steam ahead. We’re open-minded to constructive changes, but the goal is to be more supportive of Taiwan, not less.”