Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2025
The Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2025 seeks to expand civilian space cooperation between the United States and Taiwan. Within 90 days of enactment, NASA, NOAA (via their administrators), and the Secretary of State would be tasked to actively engage Taiwan to broaden collaboration in civilian space activities. The bill outlines areas for potential cooperation—such as satellite programs, space exploration, and weather/atmospheric initiatives—and allows for personnel exchanges with Taiwan’s Space Agency and mutual efforts in commercial space and weather technology. It also requires a detailed annual report to Congress for five years describing activities, challenges, and progress, while emphasizing protections for sensitive information, intellectual property, trade secrets, and U.S. economic interests in line with export-control rules and the Taiwan Relations Act. No funding is provided in the bill; instead, it creates oversight and reporting to guide ongoing cooperation.
Key Points
- 1Deadline and lead coordination: Within 90 days after enactment, NASA, NOAA, and the State Department must initiate efforts to expand civilian space cooperation with Taiwan.
- 2Scope of cooperation: The agencies may pursue joint activities related to satellite programs, space exploration, and atmospheric/weather research and programs, in addition to identifying mutual benefits in related science areas.
- 3Personnel exchanges: The bill permits exchanges of personnel between U.S. space agencies and Taiwan’s Space Agency to facilitate collaboration.
- 4Commercial and technology cooperation: Encourages mutual, beneficial collaboration in commercial space activities and weather technology and services.
- 5Safeguards and reporting: Cooperation must comply with the Taiwan Relations Act and export regulations, protecting sensitive information, IP, trade secrets, and U.S. economic interests. The bill requires a comprehensive implementation report to Congress 270 days after enactment and annually for five years, detailing activities, challenges, and overall progress. Defines which congressional committees oversee the reporting.