Members of Congress Reaffirm Bipartisan Support for Taiwan After Trump Called Arms Sales a "Negotiating Chip"

Members of a U.S. congressional delegation attending the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday reaffirmed strong backing for Taiwan's security, even as President Donald Trump's recent remarks about the island have raised questions about the consistency of American policy.

"There's really strong bipartisan support for Taiwan and Taiwan security, and making sure we build on so much of the progress that has been made" regarding the island's ability to defend itself, Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a media roundtable at the Dialogue.

The comments come after Trump referred to $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan — already approved by Congress — as a "negotiating chip" with China, a characterization that drew scrutiny from allies and observers watching U.S.-China relations.

Representative Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., pushed back on any suggestion that American commitment to the island had wavered. "Our commitment to Taiwan — it's not changing," Harrigan said at a separate media roundtable at the Dialogue. "If you look at the work we have done with Taiwan, there can be no assertion that the United States has not been there" for the island.

Representative Greg Meeks, D-N.Y., noted that weapons sales to Taiwan were approved by Congress "in a bipartisan manner," adding, "We're focused on Taiwan and its security," and "we're willing to give them what they need to defend themselves."

One notable absence in the Taiwan discussion came from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who did not mention Taiwan in his earlier remarks at the Dialogue. Representative Michael Baumgartner, R-W.A., downplayed the significance of that omission, arguing that Hegseth "mentioned the status quo with emphasis," and that in his view, "That includes Taiwan."

Taiwan asserts the right to self-government but is claimed by China, making it a persistent flashpoint in relations between Washington and Beijing. The island has remained in focus as Trump has at various points signaled a transactional approach to longstanding U.S. security relationships in the region.

The congressional delegation's remarks at the Dialogue underscore the degree to which lawmakers — across party lines — view their institutional role as a counterweight to executive-branch ambiguity on the Taiwan question, reinforcing that congressional authorization of arms transfers reflects a durable policy commitment rather than a bargaining instrument.

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