Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act

The Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act would create a U.S.-led program to protect and bolster the security and reliability of undersea communications cables near Taiwan. The bill establishes the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative, to be created within 360 days, led by the State Department with support from Defense, Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and other relevant agencies. Its core goals are real-time monitoring of cables, rapid repair and mitigation protocols, enhanced maritime awareness and joint patrols with Taiwan and regional partners, and international cooperation to harden and protect cable networks. The legislation also targets gray zone tactics by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and would authorize sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) against PRC individuals or entities involved in sabotaging cables, along with a requirement for semiannual reporting to Congress on incidents and responses. In short, the bill seeks to deter and respond to cable sabotage, improve resilience of critical communications for Taiwan, and coordinate diplomatic, military, and civilian efforts with allies, while using sanctions and diplomacy to pressure Beijing to observe international norms around undersea infrastructure.