Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), who serve as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, have introduced the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to expand U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) exports to Taiwan, support improvements in Taiwan’s energy infrastructure, encourage the use of nuclear energy, and ensure that energy shipments to Taiwan continue in times of crisis.

Taiwan currently relies on imports for nearly all its energy needs, which makes it vulnerable to actions by China. This dependency increases risks if China attempts to disrupt fuel supplies or apply other forms of pressure.

“Energy security is a glaring vulnerability for our Taiwanese partners.  Unleashing America’s energy resources and expertise to strengthen Taiwan’s resilience serves both the U.S. and Taiwan’s national security interests,” said Senator Ricketts. “Beijing would like nothing more than to force unification without war.  We should do everything in our power to complicate Xi Jinping’s plans to coerce Taiwan into capitulation.”

“When Senator Ricketts and I traveled to Taiwan earlier this year, we saw first-hand the growing aggression from China,” said Senator Coons. “We know that China will use every tool at its disposal to threaten Taiwan – not just militarily, but through ‘grey zone’ tactics like interfering with Taiwan’s fuel imports.  This bipartisan bill will help stabilize the region by allowing Taiwan to buy more U.S. fuel and encouraging it to work with the U.S. on next-generation nuclear energy that will make the island less reliant on imports.”

Earlier this year in May, Senator Ricketts organized a tabletop exercise led by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), with participation from Senator Coons and other senators. The two-hour simulation focused on how lawmakers might respond if China were to carry out a campaign aimed at cutting off Taiwan’s access to energy supplies.

The exercise highlighted risks related to a potential Chinese blockade targeting Taiwanese fuel imports. Currently, 98% of Taiwan's energy is imported from a limited number of suppliers, and its storage facilities are not sufficient for stockpiling large reserves during emergencies.

As the world’s top exporter of LNG with significant expertise in grid security, nuclear technology, and energy infrastructure, the United States is positioned to play an increased role in supporting Taiwan's efforts toward greater energy security.

More information about the bill can be found through Bloomberg Government: https://about.bgov.com/news/senators-seek-to-bolster-taiwans-energy-security-with-lng-exports/.