America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Taiwan Relations Act is the legislation that significantly amended U.S. relations with Taiwan in 1979. This act was enacted following the U.S. decision to recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, which resulted in the severing of official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The Taiwan Relations Act established a framework for unofficial relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, ensuring that the U.S. would continue to provide Taiwan with arms for self-defense and maintain economic and cultural ties. It recognizes Taiwan's importance to U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region and outlines U.S. commitments to assist Taiwan in maintaining its security and democratic ways of life.

The other options listed, while they may mention Taiwan or its relations, do not correspond to the actual legislation that redefined U.S. engagement with Taiwan effectively after the 1979 change in diplomatic recognition. Thus, the Taiwan Relations Act stands out as the cornerstone of contemporary U.S.-Taiwan relations.