Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) is proposing a bill to boost U.S. natural gas exports and ensure maritime shipments to Taiwan in an effort to safeguard the island’s energy supply from Chinese threats.
Taiwan is a critical U.S. strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, as it produces most of the world’s semiconductors and advanced chips used for artificial intelligence and defense systems. However, China has long claimed Taiwan and is feared to be weighing a takeover of the island.
Harrigan’s bill states that Taiwan’s energy infrastructure, including the electric grid system and liquefied natural gas import facilities, is vulnerable to threats from China, and the bill aims to address those weaknesses.
“Energy is leverage,” Harrigan said in a statement.
The congressman added that the bill is essential at a time when the conflict with Iran has disrupted major energy trade. For instance, ships have been blocked from sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a major trading route for vessels carrying oil and gas.
“Beijing knows exactly where Taiwan is weakest—and global events today, from strikes in the Middle East to threats at chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, underscore that energy vulnerability is national security vulnerability,” Harrigan said.
The bill calls on the Secretary of State to identify and address barriers to LNG exports and storage to Taiwan. It would also seek opportunities to boost LNG exports by redirecting the flow from China to Taiwan.
The resolution would enhance cybersecurity programs to protect Taiwan’s energy infrastructure. The Department of Energy and the State Department would also establish the U.S.-Taiwan Energy Security Center to foster academic collaboration. The United States would also prioritize assistance and cooperation with Taiwan on nuclear energy
Similar to President Donald Trump’s plan to provide war risk insurance for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz despite threats from Iran, Harrigan’s bill would offer insurance and reinsurance for ships going to Taiwan. Specifically, the bill says the Transportation Department would provide insurance and reinsurance for vessels transporting critical energy, humanitarian, or other goods to Taiwan or another U.S. strategic partner facing coercive maritime threats.
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“This bill pushes U.S. LNG to Taiwan, backs next-generation nuclear cooperation, and guarantees strategic shipping won’t be held hostage by hostile insurers or hostile powers. If deterrence is to mean anything, it must start with hardening the points our adversaries count on,” Harrigan said.
Trump is slated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month to discuss trade tensions and address tensions surrounding Taiwan.
