Taiwan Relations Act @45 Years And Counting


August 6, 2024

Water color painting of Asian continent.

Interested in East Asia? Check out the latest Asia Report from the Rising Powers Initiative. Report #63, "Taiwan Relations Act @45 Years And Counting,"recounts a recent roundtable on the landmark legislation. Key takeaways from experts include:

  • Had it not been for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), Taiwan would not have had the space to undergo its political transformation into a full-fledged democracy, and would not have become the economic powerhouse that is today.
  • The longevity and success of the TRA can be attributed to congressional equilibrium as well as the act's flexibility and transitory nature.
  • The US will likely continue to build upon the foundation laid by the TRA, continuing to adjust its approach depending on the ebbs and flows of the cross-strait relationship.

For more, the full report is available online.

The Rising Powers Initiative is a multi-year, cross-national research effort that examines the role of domestic identities and foreign policy debates of aspiring powers in Asia. The Initiative is hosted by the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.