As 1979 dawned, President Jimmy Carter extended diplomatic recognition to the People’s Republic of China. upending longstanding U.S. foreign policy in Asia. For thirty years after the triumph of Mao’s revolution, the United States continued to recognize the claim of the Republic of China, based on Taiwan, to govern the entire country. Intricate economic and cultural relations existed between Washington and Taipei, backed by a Mutual Defense Treaty. While Carter withdrew from the treaty, satisfying a core Chinese condition for diplomatic relations, he presented Congress with legislation to allow other ties with Taiwan to continue unofficially. Many in Congress took issue with the President. Generally supportive of his policy to normalize relations with China, they worried about Taiwan’s future. Believing Carter’s legislation was incomplete, especially regarding Taiwan’s security, they held extensive hearings and lengthy debates, substantially strengthening the bill. The President ensured the measure comported with the terms of normalization. He negotiated with Congress to produce legislation he could sign and Beijing could at least tolerate. Although the final product enjoyed broad consensus in Congress, fights over amendments were fierce, and not always to the President’s advantage. Passage of the Taiwan Relations Act stabilized America’s position in Asia and its situation with Taipei, while allowing the new China to be properly launched. Now in its fourth decade, the Act remains highly impactful on the leading bilateral relationship in the world.The United States Constitution makes Congress the President’s partner in shaping American foreign policy. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 vividly demonstrates how robust congressional engagement and inter-Branch cooperation leads to stronger and more durable policy outcomes, which enjoy a greater degree of public acceptance.

With China/US relations deteriorating the Taiwan Relations Act is the cornerstone of Asian policy and the intent of Congress in drafting the act more than 40 years ago TRA is significant if we are to meet the current crisis. The book which contains highly secret classifed memcoms and congressional debate which lends substance to the ambiguity that the crafters intended .

Perhaps the most overlooked element of U.S. China policy, the Taiwan Relations Act requires this country to maintain traditional relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan. It was passed & enacted on April 10, 1979, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, whose recognition of the People's Republic of China made the TRA necessary. Since then, the TRA as the law of the land has governed the U.S. special relationship with the ROC on Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act is significant because of the complex issues surrounding American withdrawal of recognition from the Republic of China & Taiwan's status in American & international law. This Legislative History contains excerpts from the Congressional Record pertaining to the Taiwan Relations Act during the 103rd, 104th & 105th terms of Congress. Includes original text of the TRA, President Carter's Executive Order of June 22, 1979, on "Maintaining unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan, " indices & recent assessments of Taiwan's political-military situation. Despite domestic political differences, the TRA has maintained a bipartisan Congressional approach to U.S. - Taiwan relations, stabilizing U.S. policy toward East Asia Paper. ISBN 0-9671650-0-8. US$ $14.95 plus $4.00 shipping/handling. Order from the International Information Agency, Inc., 2111 Jeff Davis Highway Suite 505N, Arlington, VA 22202. 703/415-0947 fax 703/415-0585.