A commission that reports to the US Congress on security and trade issues in US-China relations has recommended raising the status of the American Institute in Taiwan’s director. The American Institute in Taiwan serves as the United States’ de facto embassy in Taiwan, and the upgrade in status the report recommends would make the position of institute director more like that of regular US ambassadors.
In its annual report to the US Congress, the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission says that in the future, institute directors should be appointed by the US President and approved by the Senate in the same way ambassadors are approved.
In addition, the report highlights Chinese aggression throughout 2020 and growing questions in Washington about whether the US needs to adopt a new approach to cross-strait ties.
The report also notes breakthroughs in Taiwan-US economic ties during 2020, especially the Tsai administration’s decision to lift restrictions on US pork products and the start of bilateral trade dialogue. It recommends the US Congress consider creating further chances for strengthening bilateral economic ties, especially in the area of technology.
In addition, the report calls on US government agencies to include Taiwan in multilateral efforts to strengthen supply chains and their security.
It also calls on Congress to strengthen the TAIPEI Act, an act that seeks to shore up Taiwan’s diplomatic ties with other countries and back Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations. The report recommends the act be amended to require US government agencies to oppose Chinese attempts to resolve the issue of Taiwan’s status in international organizations by “distorting the language, policies or procedures of the organization.”