New Act Mandates NASA and NOAA Start Space Cooperation Talks with Taiwan Within 90 Days

The aptly named Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2025 is a straightforward piece of legislation designed to formalize and expand U.S. civilian space cooperation with Taiwan. Think of it as a mandatory handshake between NASA, NOAA, and the Taiwan Space Agency, with Congress overseeing the whole conversation.

The Mandate: Getting Down to Business in Space

This bill doesn't just suggest cooperation; it makes it a requirement. Within 90 days of the bill becoming law, the head of NASA, the Secretary of Commerce (who runs NOAA), and the Secretary of State must reach out to their Taiwanese counterparts to start talking about expanding non-military space activities. This is a tight deadline that forces the agencies to prioritize this partnership immediately. The goal is to collaborate on projects that benefit both sides, which could include everything from satellite programs and space exploration missions to critical weather and atmospheric monitoring programs. For the average person, this means potentially better weather forecasting or more efficient disaster response, fueled by shared data and technology.

Protecting the Trade Secrets

While the bill pushes for collaboration, it’s not a free-for-all. The legislation is clear that any cooperation must strictly follow the existing rules—specifically the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 and all current U.S. export controls. Crucially, the agencies must take “serious steps to protect any sensitive U.S. information, trade secrets, or economic interests.” This is the policy equivalent of putting a lock on the server room door before inviting guests in. Given the sensitive nature of space technology, this safeguard is necessary to ensure that U.S. intellectual property and national security interests stay protected, even as the scientific partnership grows.

The Congressional Check-In

If you’ve ever had a boss who needed constant updates, you’ll understand the reporting requirements here. Within 270 days of enactment, and then annually for the next five years, NASA, NOAA, and the State Department must send a detailed report to specific congressional committees. This report has to cover what activities they’ve actually done, any roadblocks they ran into, and a general summary of the cooperation. This continuous reporting requirement—five years of annual check-ins—is key. It ensures that this isn't just a one-time press release; Congress is making sure the agencies follow through and that the cooperation remains on track, giving legislators a clear picture of the partnership's progress and challenges.