The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) forms the basis of Taiwan's relationship with the United States in the absence of diplomatic ties. The act was passed on January 1, 1979 by the US Congress. The passage of the TRA coincided with the United States establishment of formal diplomatic ties with Mainland China and subsequent breaking of ties with Taiwan.
The TRA authorizes quasi-diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of China government on Taiwan. It also states that other agreements signed between the United States and Taiwan before 1979 are still valid unless explicitly terminated.
Notably, the TRA requires the US to supply Taiwan with "arms of a defensive character". It also says the US must maintain the capacity to "resist any resort to force" that would jeopardize Taiwan. Mainland China has made frequent objections to the TRA, claiming it is an intrusion into Mainland China's internal affairs. Mainland China has also called on the United States to cease arms sales to Taiwan.
In January 2013, a US scholar called for a major rethink on Taiwan. The scholar is Scott Bates, president of the Washington-based Center for National Policy. He said Taiwan should cut its troop numbers in half and rebrand its army a self-defense force.
Bates said the cross-strait military balance was “irretrievably shifting” in Mainland China’s favor. He also said if Taiwan were to take this bold step, it would change perceptions on Mainland China and “perhaps win some popular support for the Taiwanese position”.
But despite Bates’ unconventional view, he still supports the continuation of the Taiwan Relations Act. He said Taiwan should upgrade its air defenses and navy to show that any attempt to take Taiwan would not be easy.
US officials, including President Barack Obama, have previously repeated that the Taiwan Relations Act will continue to be a cornerstone of the US relationship with Taiwan and cross-strait policy.