H.R. 7873 — Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026

This section states congressional findings on Taiwan's energy security vulnerabilities to threats from China, the strategic benefits of U.S. energy exports and partnerships with Taiwan, and the potential to redirect U.S. liquefied natural gas exports from China (212,837,000,000 cubic feet in 2024) to Taiwan (118,162,000,000 cubic feet in 2024).

This section amends the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (22 U.S.C. 3351 et seq.) to add a new part promoting U.S. energy exports to Taiwan and energy infrastructure resilience against asymmetric threats (i.e., cyberattacks, sabotage, or economic coercion targeting critical infrastructure). The new part (1) defines "appropriate congressional committees" (specified Senate and House committees) and "asymmetric threat"; (2) authorizes and directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretaries of Commerce and Energy, to prioritize U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and energy diversification projects for Taiwan through specified activities (e.g., engaging U.S. LNG producers, facilitating private-sector coordination, providing diplomatic support), and requires a National Academy of Sciences assessment within one year of enactment on boosting U.S. LNG exports to Taiwan, including redirection from China; (3) authorizes the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense and Energy, to cooperate with Taiwan on energy infrastructure resilience capacity building (e.g., cybersecurity for grids and LNG terminals, physical security, joint training, workforce development), including establishing a U.S.-Taiwan Energy Security Center and providing technical assistance through the American Institute in Taiwan consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) and subject to Foreign Assistance Act notification requirements (22 U.S.C. 2394-1), with an implementation briefing to congressional committees within 180 days of enactment; and (4) requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretaries of Commerce, Energy, and Defense, to submit reports beginning 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter for three years.

This section states congressional findings on the safety, reliability, and low carbon footprint of nuclear energy; the resilience of nuclear fuel supply; Taiwan's prior nuclear capabilities; and the shutdown of Taiwan's last operating nuclear power plant, Maanshan-2, on May 17, 2025, after its 40-year operating license expired. It expresses the sense of Congress that it is in the interests of the United States and Taiwan for Taiwan to maintain nuclear power, utilize new technologies including Gen III+ reactors and small modular reactors, and that the United States should prioritize assistance and cooperation with Taiwan on nuclear energy.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide insurance and reinsurance against war risks for vessels engaged in commerce transporting critical energy, humanitarian, or other goods to Taiwan or another U.S. strategic partner facing coercive maritime threats, if the Secretary determines—in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and State and the Director of National Intelligence—that such coverage is necessary to support vital strategic commerce or deter coercive maritime behavior undermining regional security. (As background, the underlying program provides such insurance when adequate private coverage is unavailable for U.S. waterborne commerce.) The section further exempts these vessels from the existing requirement that insured vessels be available to the U.S. government in time of war or national emergency.

This section provides that nothing in this Act may be construed as changing the One China Policy of the United States, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three United States-People’s Republic of China joint communiqués, and the Six Assurances.