Legislative delegation underscores Taiwan commitment to defense

立法院代表團強調台灣的國防承諾

US defense officials assure lawmakers Taiwan is not bargaining chip


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan legislative delegation has been highlighting the nation’s commitment to resisting Chinese aggression and safeguarding security during their US visit.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker and delegation leader Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) said in a Facebook livestream Saturday that he told US officials Taiwan prefers to use Coast Guard Administration ships to respond to Chinese gray zone tactics, rather than military vessels, to avoid escalating tensions. This aligns with the international community’s desire for peace in the Taiwan Strait, Wang said. He pointed out that Taiwan's defense budget is close to 4% of GDP if the Coast Guard is included as a military branch.

Wang also raised concerns with US security officials about the potential for Taiwan to become a bargaining chip in trade talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平). A high-level official in charge of Taiwan security told Wang that Taiwan is irreplaceable and the US would not negotiate over Taiwan in economic or trade discussions.

Xi has nothing he could offer to exchange for Taiwan, the official added.

US defense officials warned the delegation that Taiwan’s legislature must pay close attention to cuts or freezes in the national defense budget, Wang said. They said no country is willing to risk lives for a nation that doesn’t value its own security or defense commitments.

Wang said the US stance on Taiwan is clear and that any attempt to undermine US-Taiwan relations, downplay Taiwan’s importance, or fuel anti-US narratives echoes Xi’s position and helps China harm Taiwan.

The delegation was in Washington, DC last week to engage with US lawmakers and officials on Taiwan Strait security and issues of mutual concern. The group also visited think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation and the Hudson Institute. The lawmakers are now in Los Angeles.