Members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday voiced strong support for Taiwan, welcoming Han Kuo-yu, president of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, to Washington during a period of heightened scrutiny over a potential $14 billion arms sales package.
More than 30 House representatives, from both Democratic and Republican parties, attended a reception to demonstrate solidarity. Notable attendees included Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican and former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat serving as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
"I love Taiwan," McCaul stated, welcoming Han. "It’s very important to me to say that the United States supports you, Mr. Speaker." Pelosi echoed this sentiment, remarking that "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."
Han, leading an eight-person parliamentary delegation, also met with seven Democratic senators earlier in the day. The delegation's visit comes after a stop in Phoenix, Arizona, where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is expanding its operations, underscoring Taiwan's critical role in the U.S. economy, particularly in supplying advanced chips for artificial intelligence.
During meetings, the Democratic senators urged the Trump administration to expedite the $14 billion arms sale. "We remain 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," they said in a joint statement.
Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, is a persistent point of contention in U.S.-China relations. U.S. law mandates that the island be supplied with adequate defensive capabilities. President Donald Trump had previously indicated he was reviewing the arms package, a move opposed by Beijing, and suggested it could serve as a bargaining chip.
Lawmakers present at the reception pushed back against this idea. "I'm here today ... to affirm in the strongest terms that Taiwan is not a bargaining chip. It is an island of freedom. And we need to do all we can to preserve it," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat. He advocated for making "every weapon that Taiwan needs in its defense as quickly as it becomes possible" available. Rep. Ted Lieu criticized the administration for delaying the arms sale, urging them to "reverse that and to allow their arms sale to proceed."
Han, a member of Taiwan's opposition KMT party, highlighted shared values of freedom and democracy between Taiwan and the U.S. He also pointed to the robust trade relationship, noting that Taiwan has become the U.S.'s fourth-largest trading partner, largely due to demand for its technology hardware and advanced chips.
Beyond defense, Han sought U.S. assistance in expanding Taiwan's international engagement. Due to China's territorial claims, Taiwan's diplomatic recognition is limited, and Beijing actively works to exclude it from international organizations. "On the international stage, Taiwan feels very lonely in its heart," Han said, appealing to Congress to "help us participate in global activities."
The delegation's visit is set to conclude with a non-stop flight by EVA Air from Washington Dulles International Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, a service hailed as further evidence of deepening U.S.-Taiwan ties.