A U.S. congressional delegation met with Taiwan’s new president on Monday and promised weapons the self-governing island ordered in the face of threats from China were on their way.
Why it matters: The visit, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), comes days after the Chinese military held drills around the democratically run island it claims is its territory in protest at the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
- Taipei officials have in recent months expressed concerns about delays in shipments of U.S. weapons as overstretched suppliers send arms to aid Ukraine fighting Russia’s invading forces.
State of play: Congress passed an aid package last month that included around $2 billion in support of the Taiwanese military and other U.S. allies in the Pacific.
- McCaul emphasized the importance of supplying Taiwan during a news conference in Taipei after meeting with Lai.
- “We are moving forward on those weapons systems,” he said. “I’d like to see them faster, but they are forthcoming.”
The big picture: U.S. lawmakers’ visits to Taipei typically raise the ire of Beijing, which sees any move that appears to treat Taiwan as an independent country as an affront.
- After McCaul’s last visit in April, Chinese officials placed sanctions on him.
- The Chinese military performed live ammunition drills near Taiwan after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in 2022.
Zoom in: Other members of the bipartisan delegation to Taiwan included Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.).
- During their trip, the delegation met with Taiwanese authorities to discuss regional security, trade and investment to explore new areas of collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan, according to a statement from McCaul’s office.
- Go deeper: All roads lead to Taipei
