U.S. Lawmakers Assure Taiwan of Incoming Weapons During High-Profile Visit

In a significant display of support, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation assured Taiwan that weapons it has ordered from the United States are on the way. This commitment was made during a visit to Taipei shortly after the inauguration of Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te. The delegation, led by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, met with President Lai amid heightened tensions following Chinese military drills around the self-governing island.

Rep. McCaul emphasized the importance of expedited delivery of these weapons, acknowledging Taiwan’s concerns over delays. “We are moving forward on those weapons systems,” McCaul said at a news conference in Taipei. “I’d like to see them faster, but they are forthcoming.” The urgency of these deliveries was highlighted by recent aggressive maneuvers by China, which conducted military exercises as a form of "punishment" in response to Lai’s inauguration speech. In his speech, President Lai urged China to recognize Taiwan's sovereignty and end its threats.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the United States remains Taiwan’s most crucial international ally. Last month, the U.S. Congress approved an aid package providing nearly $2 billion to bolster Taiwan’s military defenses. McCaul stressed that this support is vital for maintaining regional peace and deterring Chinese aggression. “We have to demonstrate that the consequences would be way too severe, the risks would outweigh the advantages,” McCaul stated.

The delegation's visit came at a critical time as Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported the presence of 21 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval vessels, and four coast guard ships around the island within the previous 24 hours. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, interpreted the Chinese military activities as a direct response to the U.S. delegation’s visit, underscoring its significance as a gesture of solidarity.

The Chinese government, meanwhile, expressed strong objections to the visit. The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry accused the U.S. of violating its commitment to maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan and lodged formal complaints. Spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China's opposition to U.S. military ties with Taiwan, urging American lawmakers to cease “playing the Taiwan card.”

The delegation included Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.). Despite potential political shifts in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, McCaul assured that U.S. support for Taiwan would remain steadfast, noting that both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have taken strong positions on China regarding Taiwan.

This visit underscores the ongoing strategic importance of Taiwan in U.S.-China relations and highlights the bipartisan consensus in the U.S. on supporting Taiwan's defense capabilities against increasing Chinese pressures.