TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 台灣民眾黨) Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) departed for Washington on Sunday (Jan. 11) to press U.S. officials on arms purchases and potential high tariffs affecting Taiwan. Huang arrives in Washington on Monday (Jan. 12) for a full day of meetings with U.S. government departments. The TPP chair plans to conclude discussions that afternoon and return to Taiwan by Wednesday (Jan. 14). He stated the visit aims to facilitate frank exchanges of views with American officials, which he considers the delegation's primary objective.
The opposition leader criticized Taiwan's government for providing insufficient information on arms purchases, noting legislators received only two A4 pages containing seven clauses. Huang said the party demands a more detailed purchase list and delivery schedule from authorities. He expressed the party's support for Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, calling transparent information a duty of responsible opposition.
"The Taiwan People's Party believes the best approach is to exchange views frankly and obtain trusted information," Huang said. "Information must not be disrupted, and governance must not halt." The opposition leader emphasized that obtaining reliable information directly from U.S. sources remains essential for Taiwan's democratic accountability and informed policymaking on critical defense matters.
On potential high tariffs, Huang blamed Taiwan's government for ineffective efforts to resolve trade concerns with Washington. He emphasized that direct exchanges with U.S. officials are the most effective approach to obtaining trustworthy information on the matter. Huang plans to hold a press conference upon returning to Taiwan on Wednesday (Jan. 14) to report on the visit's findings and outcomes.