US lawmakers have introduced the Taiwan Envoy Act, which seeks to recognize the director of the American Institute in Taiwan as an Ambassador at Large. The American Institute in Taiwan is the US’ representative office in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
The Taiwan Envoy Act was introduced to the House by Co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Steve Chabot and Brad Sherman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee for Asia and the Pacific on Monday. Under the Taiwan Envoy Act, the director of AIT will be appointed by the US President and approved by the Senate, which is the same process by which US Ambassadors are selected. Furthermore, AIT directors would be granted the rank of Ambassador at Large. Currently, the AIT director is appointed by the US Secretary of State without Senate approval.