Washington- The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed the America COMPETES Act to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness with China, while demonstrating support for stronger relations with Taiwan.

The bill, which cleared the House 222-210 in a near party-line vote, would provide US$52 billion to support U.S. semiconductor-related production and research amid a global chip shortage.

It would also authorize US$45 billion to strengthen America’s supply chains and manufacturing at home.

Introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from the Democratic Party, the bill also incorporates several pieces of pro-Taiwan legislation previously initiated by lawmakers.

These include the Taiwan Fellowship Act, Taiwan Diplomatic Review Act, Taiwan Peace and Stability Act, TAIPEI Act and Taiwan International Solidarity Act.

The Taiwan Diplomatic Review Act asks the U.S. secretary of state to negotiate a name change for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Peace and Stability Act seeks U.S. strategies to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and to enhance deterrence of conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

Last June, the U.S. Senate passed a similar bill, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, with bipartisan support.

Lawmakers must now reconcile the differences between the two versions and both the House and Senate will have to vote again before the bill is sent to President Joe Biden.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel