Since the recognition of the People's Republic of China, the Act has defined the officially substantial but non-diplomatic relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan.
Sejak pengakuan terhadap Republik Rakyat Tiongkok, Undang-Undang tersebut telah menetapkan hubungan substansial namun bukan diplomatik antara rakyat Amerika Serikat dan rakyat di Taiwan.