Members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday pledged firm support for Taiwan as they welcomed Han Kuo-yu, president of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, to Washington during a reception at the Longworth House Office Building.
Han is leading an eight-person parliamentary delegation that arrived in the nation's capital Tuesday night after a stop in Phoenix, Arizona, where chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is building new fabrication facilities producing advanced chips crucial to the AI boom.
Over 30 House representatives from both parties attended the reception, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi of California, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, and Rep. Ted Lieu of California.
The visit comes as the Trump administration reviews a $14 billion arms sales package to Taiwan that received preliminary congressional approval months earlier. President Donald Trump said after his May trip to Beijing that he would review the package, which Beijing strongly opposes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said U.S. policy on Taiwan remains unchanged.
What the Left Is Saying
Rep. Ted Lieu criticized the Trump administration for holding up the arms sales package, saying: "I urge the administration to reverse that and to allow their arms sale to proceed."
Pelosi emphasized the bipartisan nature of support for Taiwan at the reception, stating: "The support for Taiwan is bipartisan and bicameral — both houses, both parties. It's about peace. It's also about commerce in terms of keeping the ships able to travel here."
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas declared: "Taiwan is not a bargaining chip. It is an island of freedom. And we need to do all we can to preserve it." He added: "I believe we need to make available every weapon that Taiwan needs in its defense as quickly as it becomes possible."
The delegation met with seven Democratic senators earlier Wednesday, including New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Democrats issued a statement calling on the Trump administration to move ahead with the $14 billion arms sales "without further delay," saying they are "committed to maintaining close and friendly relations with Taiwan, providing Taiwan with arms for self-defense and supporting deterrence against growing coercion from the People’s Republic of China."
What the Right Is Saying
Rep. Michael McCaul, a former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, declared at the reception: "I love Taiwan. It's very important to me to say that the United States supports you, Mr. Speaker."
Han, who is a member of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang party, complimented U.S. achievements during his speech and said both nations share values of freedom and democracy while shouldering responsibilities for maintaining regional stability.
President Trump has suggested the arms sales package could serve as a bargaining chip in broader negotiations with Beijing. After returning from China in May, he indicated the administration was reconsidering the $14 billion package, drawing criticism from some congressional Republicans who have long supported Taiwan's defensive capabilities.
What the Numbers Show
Taiwan has surpassed Germany to become the fourth-largest trading partner of the United States, largely driven by demand for advanced semiconductor chips and other technology hardware. The island nation has a population of approximately 23 million people.
The $14 billion arms sales package under review includes advanced military equipment intended to help Taiwan defend against potential invasion from mainland China. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and has vowed to seize the island by force if necessary.
Under U.S. law, Washington is obligated to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to fend off any invasion. Currently, only 12 governments — including the Holy See — recognize Taiwan's statehood due to China's territorial claim, which prevents most nations from maintaining diplomatic ties with both Beijing and Taipei.
The Bottom Line
The reception for Han underscores persistent bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan at a time when the Trump administration is weighing whether to proceed with a major arms package that has become entangled in U.S.-China relations.
Han urged Congress to help Taiwan gain more international space, saying: "On the international stage, Taiwan feels very lonely in its heart. I am here asking Taiwan's good friends in Congress to help us participate in global activities." He noted Beijing has kept Taiwan out of many international organizations including the World Health Organization.
The delegation is scheduled to depart Friday for the inaugural nonstop flight by Taiwanese carrier EVA Air between Washington Dulles International Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which both sides have promoted as evidence of deepening U.S.-Taiwan ties.