May 27, 2024 - World

U.S. "moving forward" with weapons for Taiwan, Rep. McCaul says

Rebecca Falconer

Rep. Michael McCaul and Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, dressed in a cowboy hat, in Taipei. — Rep. Michael McCaul and Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, dressed in a cowboy hat, a gift from the Republican congressman, during their meeting inside the presidential office building in Taipei on Monday. Photo: Taiwanese presidential office/President Lai Ching-te via X

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

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U.S. "moving forward" with weapons for Taiwan, Rep. McCaul says

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