Li Jingyao
U.S. President Trump has signed a comprehensive appropriations bill that includes $1.4 billion to support Taiwan’s defense. The bill also contains a “map provision,” specifying that funds cannot be used to create, purchase, or display maps that “inaccurately depict Taiwan’s territory, society, or economic system.” Legally, this clearly challenges the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “One-China Principle.” Analysts say that U.S. funding for Taiwan’s defense reflects Washington’s focus on strengthening Taiwan’s security: “If Taiwan is threatened, the First Island Chain is threatened.”
Trump signs bill, $1.4 billion for Taiwan’s defense
According to Central News Agency, after both chambers of Congress passed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026,” President Trump signed it on Feb. 3, ending a four-day partial federal government shutdown. The bill combines five appropriations bills, including the Defense Appropriations Act, and funding for national security, the State Department, and related programs.
The law stipulates that the “Cross-Service Operations and Sustainment” project will allocate funds to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), including $1 billion for the “Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative,” available through Sept. 30, 2027.
The Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative aims to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities to enhance deterrence, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and reduce risks to U.S. forces. This complements Taiwan’s own defense investments as well as other U.S. security assistance and cooperation authorizations.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
The bill also allocates $150 million to replace and compensate defense materials provided to Taiwan.
Additionally, under the “Foreign Military Financing” (FMF) program, at least $300 million is designated for Taiwan aid. The U.S. Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, is to prioritize delivery of defense materials and related services to Taiwan.
Under the “National Security Investment Programs,” at least $4 million is allocated for the “Global Cooperation and Training Framework” (GCTF), which is implemented by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
Map provision prevents Taiwan from being shown as part of China
The bill also includes a provision prohibiting U.S. federal funds from being used to create, purchase, or display maps that “inaccurately depict Taiwan’s territory, society, or economic system.” Legally, this ensures that official U.S. maps reflect the reality that “China is China, Taiwan is Taiwan,” directly challenging Beijing’s One-China Principle.
The “map provision” was proposed by Congressman Tom Tiffany, who had introduced similar bills before. He emphasized that the goal is to ensure U.S. federal maps reflect the true situation: “China is China, Taiwan is Taiwan.” In the latest appropriations bill, the provision was included again. It can be interpreted as a legal challenge to the CCP’s One-China Principle, highlighting that Taiwan has never been under CCP control, giving it significant political weight.
Breaking one-China limits: Taiwan-US Space Aid Act
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Taiwan-U.S. Space Aid Act to overcome One-China policy restrictions on space cooperation with Taiwan.
According to Central News Agency, the House passed the bill on Feb. 4. Democratic Representative Ami Bera said the bill will help NASA, NOAA, and the U.S. State Department coordinate more effectively with Taiwan’s space exploration programs.
Bera added that U.S. achievements in space rely on close cooperation with allies. The bill will provide channels for U.S. personnel to be stationed at Taiwanese institutions. He also noted that deeper collaboration between NASA and Taiwan’s National Space Organization will be mutually beneficial, including for satellite atmospheric research and science education.
Taiwan-U.S. space cooperation has received bipartisan support. Republican Representative Hal Rogers said Taiwan is an important democratic partner and a key pillar of Indo-Pacific stability. He praised Bera’s amendment as the right direction and an example of cross-party cooperation in the U.S.
The Taiwan-U.S. Space Aid Act symbolizes opening doors for civilian aerospace collaboration. The bill must still pass the Senate and be signed by the President to take effect.
‘If Taiwan is threatened, the First Island Chain is threatened’
Taiwan and the U.S. signed a memorandum in 2015 to establish the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), providing a platform for Taiwan to contribute to international affairs, share expertise, and work with like-minded partners. Japan, Australia, and Canada have since become formal partners.
Before the 2026 appropriations bill was signed, Su Ziyun, director of the Defense Strategy and Resource Research Institute at Taiwan’s National Defense and Security Research Institute, said in an interview that last year’s White House National Security Strategy report mentioned preventing Taiwan from being occupied. He believes that U.S. legislative support for military aid to Taiwan, as well as $100 million in FMF for the Philippines, reflects bipartisan recognition of the importance of strengthening Taiwan’s security and the overall security of the First Island Chain: “If Taiwan is threatened, the First Island Chain is threatened.”
John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said the U.S. will help Taiwan invest in its self-defense capabilities and strengthen the historic arms sales facilitated by the Trump administration last month. The U.S. must urgently deliver weapons to Taiwan to deter potential conflicts in 2027 and beyond.
Chen Shimin, associate professor in the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University, noted that although Taiwan only accounts for a portion of the 2026 fiscal year appropriations for financial services, general government, national security, the State Department, and related programs, congressional representatives had to be willing to support the content to vote in favor. With support reaching 80 percent, this demonstrates bipartisan consensus on backing Taiwan.
Chen also said that the CCP might complete preparations to attack Taiwan by 2027, and Congress has a strong awareness of the serious situation in the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, with less than a year to 2027, this bill conveys support for Taiwan.
