Ricketts, Shaheen Introduce the BOLSTER Act to Encourage European-Taiwan Cooperation

May 24, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Ranking Member and Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, introduced legislation to encourage stronger coordination and relations between Europe and Taiwan. The Building Options for the Lasting Security of Taiwan through European Resolve (BOLSTER) Act would also create a mechanism for European NATO countries to more easily transfer U.S.-origin defense equipment to support Taiwan’s self-defense.

“President Xi has made clear his intentions to take Taiwan by force if necessary. This must be prevented at all costs,” said Ricketts. “The BOLSTER Act encourages stronger European support for Taiwan and increases coordination on sanctions to deter PRC hostilities toward Taiwan. Everyone who believes in freedom and democracy, including our partners in Europe, must stand up to PRC aggression. That means strengthening ties to Taiwan and ensuring Xi understands an attack on Taiwan will have severe consequences.”

“Taiwan, like many of the United States’ partners in the Indo-Pacific, continues to face threats from an increasingly aggressive and authoritarian People’s Republic of China,” said Shaheen. “We must engage with allies and work in coordination to respond to these provocations, which is why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill that would enhance cooperation with our European partners in support of Taiwan’s democracy. By increasing our coordination on issues including sanctions policy and humanitarian assistance initiatives, the U.S. and Europe will strengthen our collective deterrence posture in the region and send an unmistakable message to the PRC that democracies stand together.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.