I 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 8238 

To require the Secretary of Defense to appropriately consider Taiwan for 

enhanced defense industrial base cooperation activities. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 2, 2024 

Mrs. STEEL (for herself and Mr. HORSFORD) introduced the following bill; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 

to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 

A BILL 

To require the Secretary of Defense to appropriately consider 

Taiwan for enhanced defense industrial base cooperation 

activities. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. CONSIDERATION OF TAIWAN FOR ENHANCED 

4 DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE COOPERATION. 

5 (a) ENHANCED DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE CO6 OPERATION.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with the Taiwan 

8 Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the SecVerDate Sep 11 2014 06:58 May 31, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8238.IH H8238

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•HR 8238 IH

1 retary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary 

2 of State and the head of any other relevant Federal 

3 department or agency, shall take measures to ensure 

4 that Taiwan is appropriately considered for en5 hanced defense industrial base cooperation activities 

6 aligned with the United States National Defense In7 dustrial Strategy to expand global defense produc8 tion, increase supply chain security and resilience, 

9 and meet the defense needs of Taiwan. 

10 (2) ELEMENTS.—Consideration for enhanced 

11 defense industrial base cooperation activities under 

12 paragraph (1) shall include the consideration of Tai13 wan for the following: 

14 (A) Eligibility for funding to initiate or fa15 cilitate cooperative research, development, test16 ing, or evaluation projects with the Department 

17 of Defense. 

18 (B) Eligibility to enter into a memo19 randum of understanding or other formal 

20 agreement with the Department of Defense for 

21 the purpose of conducting cooperative research 

22 and development projects on defense equipment 

23 and munitions, with a focus on enhancing the 

24 defense industry and supply chain resilience of 

25 Taiwan. 


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•HR 8238 IH

1 (b) FEASIBILITY STUDY.— 

2 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in 

3 coordination with the Secretary of State, the Gov4 ernment of Taiwan, and representatives of the 

5 United States defense industry, shall conduct a 

6 study on the feasibility and advisability of entering 

7 into one or more defense industrial agreements with 

8 Taiwan. 

9 (2) ELEMENTS.—The study required by para10 graph (1) shall— 

11 (A) evaluate the strategic benefits and im12 plications of entering into a defense industrial 

13 agreement with Taiwan, including with respect 

14 to— 

15 (i) long-term supply chain security 

16 and resilience; 

17 (ii) mutual supply of defense goods 

18 and services; 

19 (iii) supply of regional maintenance, 

20 repair, and overhaul capabilities and any 

21 other support capability the Secretary con22 siders appropriate; and 

23 (iv) the promotion of interoperability; 

24 (B) account for the legal, economic, and 

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•HR 8238 IH

1 curement partnership between the United 

2 States and Taiwan; and 

3 (C) include a list of not fewer than 5 de4 fense capabilities— 

5 (i)(I) developed by, and produced in, 

6 Taiwan; and 

7 (II) that require expedited licenses for 

8 components produced in the United States; 

9 or 

10 (ii) developed by the United States 

11 but for which the United States defense in12 dustry cannot meet the demand of Taiwan 

13 on a timely basis so as to necessitate pro14 duction in Taiwan. 

15 (3) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 

16 the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

17 of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 

18 Services of the Senate and the House of Representa19 tives a report on the results of the study conducted 

20 under paragraph (1). 

Æ 


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