WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act to keep Americans safer by establishing robust security screenings for those traveling to the U.S. from Asia, open new markets for American industry, and strengthen the economic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan:  

“Not only does the Chinese Communist Party present a threat to Taiwan, but Communist China’s campaign for global dominance also presents a clear threat to U.S. interests,” said Senator Blackburn. “We need to secure our homeland by requiring Customs and Border Protection officers to inspect those who are traveling to the U.S. from airports in Asia, and the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would move us one step closer to achieving enhanced security at foreign airports. This legislation would also help identify opportunities to strengthen our economic partnership with Taiwan and increase collaboration between our two countries.”

“Taiwan is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, and boosting our ties strengthens both Taiwan and the United States. This bill would help unlock more economic opportunities for the people of Taiwan, Hawai‘i, and our entire country,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

BACKGROUND

• Taiwan is the United States’ vital trading partner and ally in the Indo-Pacific region and is increasingly under threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). To combat this threat to our interests, we must assist our allies in stabilizing their economies and growing their national industries.

• Travel and tourism play a crucial role in a nation’s economic security, yet this sector in Taiwan faces pressure and coercion from the CCP. With strategic efforts proposed in this bill, the United States and Taiwan can turn these challenges into opportunities to strengthen our relations and our tourism industries.

• The CCP’s campaign for global dominance presents a clear threat to both Taiwan and U.S. interests as well. To secure our homeland, we must establish “pre-clearance” facilities in Asia. Pre-clearance is the strategic stationing of Customs and Border Protection personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights, and it is incredibly important to enhance security, increase collaboration, and streamline travel. Notably, there is no pre-clearance facility in Asia, despite there being an annual average of over 4 million travelers from the continent.

TAIWAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COORDINATION ACT

Specifically, the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would require the federal government to:

• Identify opportunities for enhanced travel between the U.S. and Taiwan;
• Facilitate events and coordination between the travel and tourism industry partners in the United States and Taiwan;
• Coordinate with Taiwan and other agencies on the safety and security of international visitors both at home and abroad; and
• Conduct a feasibility study on establishing a pre-clearance facility in Taiwan. 

Click here for bill text.