Han Kuo-yu, President of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, is leading a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers on a visit to the United States. On June 24, after meeting with the delegation, seven U.S. senators issued a joint statement urging Taiwan to take immediate action to invest in its domestic defense production capacity.
Later that afternoon, the delegation attended a welcome reception attended by more than 30 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Han Kuo-yu: Taiwan will continue strengthening its defense capabilities
According to a press release, Han Kuo-yu led the cross-party delegation to the United States on June 21. On June 24, after arriving in Washington, D.C., the delegation met in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s conference room in the U.S. Capitol with seven Democratic senators: Jeanne Shaheen (D–New Hampshire), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Tammy Duckworth (D–Illinois); Elissa Slotkin (D–Michigan), Co-Chair of the Senate Taiwan Caucus; Brian Schatz (D–Hawaii); Jacky Rosen (D–Nevada); Jeff Merkley (D–Oregon); and Andy Kim (D–New Jersey).
The two sides held in-depth discussions on strengthening U.S.–Taiwan relations and Taiwan’s national defense and security.
According to Liberty Times, in his remarks, Han said that although Taiwan’s political parties may differ on domestic issues, they share a high degree of consensus on national defense and foreign affairs.
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He added that while Taiwan seeks to strengthen its national capabilities, it is equally committed to pursuing peace. In light of the current regional security challenges, Taiwan will continue enhancing its defense capabilities, and he expressed gratitude for the United States’ longstanding and steadfast support for Taiwan’s security and democratic development.
Han Kuo-yu emphasized that U.S.–Taiwan relations have continued to deepen in recent years, with bilateral trade and economic ties growing increasingly close. He noted that the delegation’s first stop was Arizona, where members visited TSMC’s manufacturing facilities to learn about the company’s investment and operations in the United States. Han said he was pleased to see that the project is progressing smoothly and expressed hope that the U.S. Senate will approve legislation to eliminate double taxation between the United States and Taiwan as soon as possible, further strengthening industrial cooperation and two-way investment.
Seven US senators urge Taiwan to invest in domestic defense production
The seven U.S. senators issued a joint statement on Wednesday saying they were grateful for the opportunity to meet with Han Kuo-yu and Taiwan’s bipartisan delegation of lawmakers to discuss the strong U.S.–Taiwan partnership.
The senators stated that U.S.–Taiwan relations are founded on shared democratic values and a common commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close and friendly ties with Taiwan, providing Taiwan with the weapons it needs for self-defense, and supporting Taiwan’s efforts to deter the growing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The senators also said they were encouraged by the bipartisan effort in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to advance a US$25 billion special defense budget, noting that the funding would strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, including through the acquisition of U.S.-supplied weapons.
They further emphasized that Taiwan’s commitment to investing in its own defense is critical and encouraged Taiwan to take immediate action by making additional investments in its domestic defense production.
In addition, the senators called on the Trump administration to stop delaying approximately US$14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, noting that the package had already been approved by Congress six months earlier.
The senators stressed that these weapons represent a necessary investment in Taiwan’s security, regional stability, and the national security and economic interests of the United States.
The senators stated that China (the Chinese Communist Party) continues to pressure Taiwan and destabilize the region through daily gray-zone activities, regular incursions across the median line of the Taiwan Strait, and provocative military exercises.
They warned that any conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have devastating consequences for global security and the world economy. For that reason, they said, the United States must continue providing Taiwan with defensive weapons, arguing that such support has served as an effective deterrent against Chinese military aggression for more than 40 years.
US representatives back arms sales and double taxation relief
Following their meeting with the U.S. senators, the Taiwanese delegation attended a reception hosted by Taiwan’s Representative Office in the United States at the Longworth House Office Building, home to the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), attendees included: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Ami Bera and Greg Stanton, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus; Michael McCaul, Chairman Emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Representatives Judy Chu and Ted Lieu; along with a total of 33 members of the U.S. House of Representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
In her remarks, Nancy Pelosi said that support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress is bipartisan, extending across both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Ami Bera said he was pleased to welcome a delegation representing all of Taiwan’s major political parties. He added that U.S.–Taiwan relations remain strong, stating: “The Taiwan Relations Act remains steadfast, the Six Assurances remain steadfast, and we will not negotiate away arms sales to Taiwan. That is our policy. Taiwan’s future must be determined by the people of Taiwan.”
Judy Chu emphasized that double taxation remains one of the most important issues that the United States and Taiwan need to resolve, which is why she has made it one of her top legislative priorities.
As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Chu said she had helped advance the U.S.–Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act, which has already passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin.
She added: “We need to get the Senate to begin considering it and then have it signed into law,” so as to further strengthen the U.S.–Taiwan partnership.
Ted Lieu argued that the best way to prevent China from making a reckless mistake is to ensure that every country in the Indo-Pacific has the resources to defend itself.
He also called on the Trump administration to approve the US$14 billion arms sales package for Taiwan.
Michael McCaul said that this year marks both the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. He explained that he wanted to attend the reception to demonstrate his support for Taiwan.
McCaul also revealed that he plans to visit Taiwan in August this year to participate in events and deliver a speech.
