A warship fires a weapon during a training exercise east of Taiwan. This screenshot is from a video released by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater District on December 29, 2025.
Eastern theater | via Reuters
The U.S. Congress continues to strongly support Taiwan, even though Taiwan remains a focus of relations with China, according to a delegation member at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Regarding Taiwan’s ability to defend itself, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Ile Island said during the dialogue’s media roundtable: “There is strong bipartisan support for Taiwan and Taiwan’s security, and we will ensure that we build on the much progress that has been made.”
Taiwan, which claims autonomy but is also claimed by China, has been in the spotlight following U.S. President Donald Trump’s lengthy statements. President Trump has called a $14 billion arms sale to the island approved by Congress a “bargaining chip” with China.
“Our commitment to Taiwan has not changed,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan, RN.C., at another media roundtable of the dialogue. “If you look at what we’ve done with Taiwan, you can’t say with certainty that the United States is not involved in Taiwan.”
Army Secretary Pete Hegseth did not mention Taiwan in his earlier remarks at the dialogue. But RWA Rep. Michael Baumgartner downplayed the significance of this omission.
Hegseth “emphaticly referred to the current situation,” Baumgartner said. “In my opinion, that includes Taiwan.”
The arms sales to Taiwan were approved by Congress “in a bipartisan manner,” said Rep. Greg Meeks, D.N. “We’re focused on Taiwan and its security,” and “we’re going to give them what they need to protect themselves.”
