My Taiwan Memo for Making US Foreign Policy Class

Note: This is an academic exercise, and not a reflection of current US foreign policy in any way.

FROM: National Security Council (NSC) Advisor
TO: President of the United States (POTUS)

SUBJECT: US Foreign Policy Regarding Taiwan Integration into the Regional Multilateral Organization Architecture

ISSUE: China’s increasing dominance through multilateral organizations should be counterbalanced through involvement of US allies, especially Taiwan. The US should demarche East Asian leaders to encourage Taiwanese membership in regional organizations, and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 should be amended to reflect the updated US policy.

SUMMARY:
China is gaining considerable political and economic support as it increases its role in regional multilateral organizations. It is a key member in the majority of such organizations, and hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Boao Forum within China. The US should encourage allies, especially Taiwan, to gain influence within these organizations. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 was implemented to ensure both regional security and the safety of the Taiwanese people. Regional security, as well as US interests in trade and regional politics will be enhanced with the suggested amendment to the Taiwan Relations Act.

BACKGROUND:
The People’s Republic of China is gaining regional support through its active involvement in East Asian multilateral organizations, creating a potential security concern for the US. China has been an key player of several regional organizations that have emerged over the recent decade. This is a potential US concern because, unlike the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), these new organizations do not welcome direct US involvement. Some speculate that China is hedging its influence in the region as a counterbalance to the US presence.

The official agenda behind these organizations are that they are generally for the benefit of regional trade, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, counterterrorism (CT) efforts, and other security collaborations. However, the momentum of regional cooperation will give key members such as China and Thailand political and potentially military backing in the near future. Reputable organizations with over 10 member countries and an active agenda include the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), Boao Forum, East Asian Community, and the SCO. The US, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan are all excluded from membership. It is within US interests to regain regional influence through integration of US allies into the regional multilateral architecture. An important near-term objective is to facilitate Taiwan’s entry into the regional multilateral architecture through a revision of the Taiwan Relations Act.

The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 outlined US policy to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific by promoting commercial and cultural relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan. It was one of the more recent official statements between Taiwan and the US which specifically addressed six issues:

(1) The preservation of extensive relations between the people of Taiwan and the people of the United States.

(2) Declaration that peace and stability in the area are in the interests of the US and of international concern.

(3) The US decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined through peaceful means.

(4) Any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means is a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of grave concern to the United States.

(5) To provide Taiwan with defensive arms.

(6) To maintain US ability to resist coercion that would jeopardize the security of the people of Taiwan.

US INTERESTS:
Potential military threat of China as a superpower with strong regional support.
Diminished US political and economic influence in East Asian region.
Decreased trade between the US and APEC / ASEAN due to new collaborations.
Marginalization of APEC and ASEAN organizations with high US stakes.

POLICY OPTIONS:
To demarche key East Asian leaders for their support in including Taiwan in regional organizations. This will be performed through official channels at the US Embassies toward the leadership of their host countries. Domestically, there will be strong popular support among the Taiwanese-American constituency and Congressional members sympathetic to the Taiwan Lobby. However, there will also be resistance from Beijing and their officials in Washington DC.
Approve: _____ Disapprove: _____

To amend the Taiwan Relations Act to include a new issue: (7) To encourage Taiwan participation in East Asian regional organizations, which will advance regional security through established institutions, conferences, and dialogues. As before, there will be strong popular support among the Taiwanese-American constituency and Congressional members sympathetic to the Taiwan Lobby. However, there will also be resistance from Beijing and their officials in Washington DC.
Approve: _____ Disapprove: _____

*All information found in this memorandum is from public sources. The above views do not reflect current official US views or foreign policy in any way.