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 de-
termined 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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CONSIDERATION OF TAIWAN FOR ENHANCED 
DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE COOPERATION. 
(a) ENHANCED DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE CO-
OPERATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with the Taiwan 
Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the Sec-
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retary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary 
of State and the head of any other relevant Federal 
department or agency, shall take measures to ensure 
that Taiwan is appropriately considered for en-
hanced defense industrial base cooperation activities 
aligned with the United States National Defense In-
dustrial Strategy to expand global defense produc-
tion, increase supply chain security and resilience, 
and meet the defense needs of Taiwan. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Consideration for enhanced 
defense industrial base cooperation activities under 
paragraph (1) shall include the consideration of Tai-
wan for the following: 
(A) Eligibility for funding to initiate or fa-
cilitate cooperative research, development, test-
ing, or evaluation projects with the Department 
of Defense. 
(B) Eligibility to enter into a memo-
randum of understanding or other formal 
agreement with the Department of Defense for 
the purpose of conducting cooperative research 
and development projects on defense equipment 
and munitions, with a focus on enhancing the 
defense industry and supply chain resilience of 
Taiwan. 
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(b) FEASIBILITY STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in 
coordination with the Secretary of State, the Gov-
ernment of Taiwan, and representatives of the 
United States defense industry, shall conduct a 
study on the feasibility and advisability of entering 
into one or more defense industrial agreements with 
Taiwan. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The study required by para-
graph (1) shall— 
(A) evaluate the strategic benefits and im-
plications of entering into a defense industrial 
agreement with Taiwan, including with respect 
to— 
(i) long-term supply chain security 
and resilience; 
(ii) mutual supply of defense goods 
and services; 
(iii) supply of regional maintenance, 
repair, and overhaul capabilities and any 
other support capability the Secretary con-
siders appropriate; and 
(iv) the promotion of interoperability; 
(B) account for the legal, economic, and 
defense policy aspects of a closer defense pro-
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curement partnership between the United 
States and Taiwan; and 
(C) include a list of not fewer than 5 de-
fense capabilities— 
(i)(I) developed by, and produced in, 
Taiwan; and 
(II) that require expedited licenses for 
components produced in the United States; 
or 
(ii) developed by the United States 
but for which the United States defense in-
dustry cannot meet the demand of Taiwan 
on a timely basis so as to necessitate pro-
duction in Taiwan. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report on the results of the study conducted 
under paragraph (1). 
Æ 
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