U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois arrived in Taiwan on July 6, 2026, becoming the first senator to visit the island since the Trump-Xi summit in May, delivering a message that Congress’s commitment to Taiwan remains steadfast regardless of who occupies the White House.
Duckworth led a delegation to Taiwan from July 6 to July 8, meeting with President Lai Ching-te on July 7 and holding talks with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, Premier Cho Jung-tai, and other senior officials. The visit underscored the United States’ commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In remarks to President Lai, Duckworth stated that she was proud to be the first senator to visit Taiwan after the Trump-Xi summit to deliver a clear message: “Regardless of president or party, Congress’s commitment to Taiwan is steadfast; and that is not just talk.” She emphasized that Congress’s bipartisan commitment to Taiwan spans economics, security cooperation, and humanitarian and security assistance.
Duckworth underscored the gravity of Taiwan’s strategic importance, noting that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would cost the global economy as much as $10 trillion and put over 7 percent of U.S. GDP at risk—greater than the impact of the 2008 financial crisis or the COVID-19 pandemic. She reiterated that she and her bipartisan colleagues in Congress will continue to push for continued support for Taiwan and uphold decades of U.S. policy in support of Taiwan’s security.
The Trump-Xi Summit and Taiwan’s Concerns
The timing of Duckworth’s visit reflects deep concerns in Taipei about the outcomes of the Trump-Xi summit held in Beijing in May 2026. During that summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Trump that mishandling Taiwan would put U.S.-China relations on a dangerous path. After the summit, Trump declined to commit to a planned $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan that Congress had approved in January 2026.
The Trump administration delayed announcing the arms package to avoid angering Xi before the summit, and the sale remained on hold afterward. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated that the U.S. was pausing the $14 billion arms sale to ensure it had enough weapons for the Iran war, though analysts questioned whether the delay was truly necessary for military readiness.
President Lai thanked Duckworth for introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, demonstrating the deep friendship between Taiwan and the United States. Lai pointed out that Taiwan and the U.S. are key strategic and economic partners and expressed his belief that cooperation in the drone industry can advance the defense capabilities and economic development of both nations while bolstering democratic and technological resilience.
The delegation included Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and State Senator Paul Faraci and was accompanied by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene. The group boarded a newly inaugurated direct flight to return to Washington, D.C., on July 8.
Sources
- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth — press release confirming Duckworth’s arrival as the first senator to visit Taiwan after the Trump-Xi summit, her remarks on Congress’s commitment, and details of meetings with Taiwanese officials
- Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan) — official statement on President Lai’s meeting with the delegation, including Duckworth’s remarks on Congress’s bipartisan commitment and the $10 trillion economic impact of a Taiwan Strait conflict
- American Institute in Taiwan — confirmation of delegation dates (July 6-8, 2026), officials met, and the visit’s underscoring of U.S. commitment to Taiwan
- Global Taiwan Institute — analysis of the Trump-Xi summit and the $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan announced in January 2026 but delayed by the White House
- BBC — report that the U.S. paused the $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, citing Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao’s statement about weapons needed for the Iran war
- Axios — coverage of Trump’s uncertainty about the $14 billion arms package after the Xi summit
