Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2370
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-17T09:06:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2370: Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act
Purpose
The legislation aims to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on travel and tourism matters. It seeks to enhance mutual economic and cultural benefits through expanded travel opportunities while ensuring compliance with existing U.S. laws governing relations with Taiwan.
Key Provisions
- Definitions (Section 2): Establishes key terms, including "appropriate congressional committees" (specific Senate and House committees overseeing commerce, foreign affairs, homeland security, etc.) and "Assistant Secretary" (referring to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism).
- Tourism Cooperation with Taiwan (Section 3):
- Within 90 days of enactment, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretaries of Commerce and State, must engage Taiwan's authorities to expand travel and tourism cooperation.
- Efforts include identifying opportunities to boost travel between the U.S. and Taiwan, strengthen tourism industries, and pursue mutual benefits such as:
- Facilitating events and coordination among industry partners (e.g., hotels, restaurants, airlines, tourism offices).
- Advising on preserving cultural heritage sites to encourage tourism.
- Coordinating on visitor safety and security.
- Conducting other joint activities.
- All efforts must align with the Taiwan Relations Act (a 1979 law that guides U.S.-Taiwan unofficial relations) and export rules, while protecting U.S. sensitive information, intellectual property, trade secrets, and economic interests.
- Requires joint reports to congressional committees within 270 days of enactment, and annually for five years, covering cooperation activities, challenges/resource gaps, and other relevant matters.
- Report on Preclearance Facilities in Taiwan (Section 4): Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security, consulting with the Secretaries of Commerce and State, must submit a report analyzing:
- Feasibility and advisability of establishing U.S. preclearance facilities (customs and immigration processing before departure) in Taiwan.
- A plan for such facilities in Taiwan or other Indo-Pacific locations.
- Impacts on trade, tourism revenue, business travel, cost savings, government collaboration, staffing at U.S. ports, and U.S. foreign policy goals toward Taiwan.
- Anticipated homeland security benefits and potential security risks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new directives for interagency coordination and reporting on U.S.-Taiwan tourism without amending prior laws. It builds on the Taiwan Relations Act by explicitly directing tourism-focused engagement, but does not alter its core framework or other statutes. No direct repeals or modifications to existing visa, trade, or security laws are specified.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security through engagement, planning, and reporting requirements. May lead to resource allocation for joint initiatives and feasibility studies, potentially enhancing interagency collaboration.
- Citizens and Businesses: Could facilitate easier travel for U.S. and Taiwanese individuals, boosting tourism-related commerce (e.g., hotels, airlines, retail). Preclearance facilities might reduce wait times at U.S. entry points, benefiting tourists, business travelers, and supply chains.
- International Relations: Strengthens unofficial U.S.-Taiwan ties in non-sensitive areas like tourism, promoting cultural and economic exchanges. This aligns with U.S. policy of maintaining close relations with Taiwan's people, but could indirectly influence regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Entities: Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security; congressional committees on foreign affairs, commerce, and homeland security.
- Taiwan Authorities: Officials responsible for tourism, travel, and international cooperation.
- Industry Partners: U.S. and Taiwanese tourism sectors, including airlines, hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, cultural heritage organizations, and convention bureaus.
- Travelers and Businesses: U.S. and Taiwanese citizens, tourists, and companies involved in trade and travel between the two regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures all actions comply with the Taiwan Relations Act, avoiding formal diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. Emphasizes protection of U.S. economic and security interests, with no apparent conflicts to constitutional separation of powers.
- Constitutional: No direct implications; the bill involves executive-branch implementation under congressional oversight, consistent with Article I (legislative authority) and Article II (executive foreign affairs powers).
- Political: Promotes bipartisan U.S. support for Taiwan (introduced by representatives from both parties) in a low-controversy area like tourism. Could signal broader U.S. commitment to Taiwan amid geopolitical tensions, but focuses on apolitical economic ties to minimize risks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (7 pages)