First Senator to Visit Taiwan After Trump-Xi Summit: Duckworth Says "Strong Support for Taiwan" Conveyed

(CNA) U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, leading a delegation, met with President Lai Ching-te today and stated that she is the first U.S. Senator to visit Taiwan after the Trump-Xi summit. She emphasized that her trip aims to convey an important message: U.S. support for Taiwan remains strong and is bipartisan.

President Lai met with Duckworth's (Tammy Duckworth) delegation at the Presidential Office this afternoon. He recalled their meeting last year at the Presidential Office, where he invited Duckworth to visit annually. He expressed his warm welcome and gratitude for her continued visits, hoping they will persist.

President Lai thanked Duckworth for leading bipartisan resolutions in the U.S. Congress commemorating the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's presidential direct elections this year, demonstrating the shared democratic and free values between Taiwan and the U.S., as well as their deep friendship. The President noted that Duckworth has proposed numerous pro-Taiwan bills over the years and facilitated vaccine donations to Taiwan during the pandemic, showcasing the U.S. Congress and government's attention to Taiwan and strong bipartisan support from the United States.

President Lai stated that he is aware of Duckworth's keen attention to cross-strait situations. Taiwan is committed to maintaining regional peace and stability and continuously enhancing its self-defense capabilities. This year's defense budget, according to NATO standards, has exceeded 3% of GDP and is projected to reach 5% of GDP by 2030.

The President expressed his sincere gratitude to Duckworth for facilitating cooperation in the drone industry between Taiwan and the U.S., hoping that with the support of Duckworth, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. government, Taiwan can become the Asian hub for global drone development.

President Lai mentioned that the government is not only investing resources in promoting the drone industry development plan but has also proposed a special legislative draft to allocate special budgets for the procurement of drones and unmanned surface vessels. This initiative aims to continuously grasp development trends, strengthen national defense capabilities, maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and drive Taiwan's economic and industrial development.

The President stated that Taiwan and the United States are important strategic and economic partners. In terms of security cooperation, Taiwan looks forward to transitioning from military procurement to a partnership of co-production and co-development with the U.S.

President Lai expressed his belief that through exchanges and cooperation in the drone sector, not only will Taiwan-U.S. defense and economic development be promoted, but also democratic technology resilience can be strengthened, contributing more to world peace and prosperity.

Duckworth, speaking subsequently, expressed her pride as the first U.S. Senator to visit Taiwan after the Trump-Xi summit. She reiterated that her trip conveys a very important message: "Our support for Taiwan remains very strong."

Duckworth stated that the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is strong and enduring, regardless of whether the president is from the Democratic or Republican party. She emphasized that U.S. support is not just talk but is demonstrated through concrete actions, with Congress playing a crucial role. She recalled her proudest moment in 2020 when she flew to Taipei late at night with colleagues to announce the donation of COVID-19 vaccines.

Furthermore, Duckworth mentioned that "at this moment, there are many voices questioning the U.S.'s resolve to support Taiwan," but she wants to reaffirm the bipartisan support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress. Supporting Taiwan has been U.S. policy for decades, and the U.S. is committed to protecting Taiwan's security.

Duckworth stated that it is deeply understood that Taiwan's security is not only vital to U.S. security but also to global security. A conflict in the Taiwan Strait would impact the global economy, with potential losses up to $10 trillion and a risk of 7% to the U.S. GDP, representing not just a financial crisis but a global crisis. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150707

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