Bacon, Pappas Co-lead Taiwan Representative Office Act

Washington, DC - Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) have introduced legislation to direct the Secretary of State to engage in negotiations with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) to rename its office the ‘‘Taiwan Representative Office.”

Currently named the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States, it represents the interests of Taiwan in the United States in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy. Its counterpart in Taiwan is the office of the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei.

This bill does not restore diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) or alter the position of the United States with respect to the international status of Taiwan.

“Taiwan is our friend, and we are treating them like second-class people because of the pressure and bullying by China,” said Rep. Bacon. “We want to elevate what we call their diplomatic facilities and their senior diplomatic representative. Taiwan deserves better from the world’s superpower for freedom.” 

“I am committed to standing with all our democratic allies against threats to their security and sovereignty, and we must continue to strengthen our diplomatic partnership with our democratic ally Taiwan as they face continued threats from Xi Jinping’s authoritarian regime,” said Rep. Pappas. “This bipartisan policy would properly recognize Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington to demonstrate our continued support and counter Xi Jinping’s attempts to intimidate Taiwan and other allies.”

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