Members of the United States Congress have reaffirmed their commitment to Taiwan’s security, emphasizing that support for the island remains a bipartisan priority. During the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, lawmakers highlighted the importance of maintaining Taiwan’s ability to defend itself amidst increasingly complex relations with China.

The renewed emphasis on Taiwan follows recent comments from President Donald Trump, who characterized $14 billion in previously approved arms sales to the island as a ‘negotiating chip’ in dealings with China. Despite these remarks, lawmakers stressed that the legislative intent and the ongoing efforts to bolster Taiwan’s defenses remain unchanged.

Senator Tammy Duckworth noted that there is significant bipartisan consensus regarding Taiwan’s security and the necessity of building upon existing progress. Similarly, Representative Pat Harrigan stated that the United States’ commitment to the island is steadfast, noting that the work already completed demonstrates a consistent presence. Representative Greg Meeks further emphasized that the arms sales approved by Congress were a bipartisan effort specifically designed to ensure Taiwan has the necessary tools for self-defense.

While Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did not explicitly mention Taiwan during an earlier address at the dialogue, some representatives downplayed the omission. Representative Michael Baumgartner suggested that Hegseth’s emphasis on maintaining the ‘status quo’ inherently includes the security and stability of Taiwan.