TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators led by Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and John Curtis (R-NC) arrived in Taipei Monday (March 30) to discuss Taiwan's defense strategies, economic transformation, and alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) and Karin M. Lang, deputy director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT, 美國在台協會), welcomed the delegation at Songshan Airport (松山機場).
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with the senators, who also include senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and emphasized the importance of a special defense budget, which has over 60% domestic support but faces delays in the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, due to political factors, officials said. He urged bipartisan support for the budget, which he described as crucial for accelerating industrial and economic transformation.
"We recognize and welcome the steps Taiwan has taken to strengthen its own defense and resilience," Senator Shaheen said. "They are critical to sustaining deterrence." Senator Curtis said Taiwan's efforts are noticed in Washington. "The seriousness is noticed in Washington, D.C., and your efforts on the special defense budget are noticed and supported with vast support," he said.
President Lai thanked the U.S. government for extending the deadline for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), allowing Taiwan to continue its arms procurement, officials said. He stressed the importance of enhancing asymmetric warfare capabilities. The visit coincides with the Legislative Yuan's review of the defense budget and precedes President Trump's planned visit to Beijing in May to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which has drawn significant attention.