Formosan Association for Public Affairs

Taiwan Urges U.S. Congress to Pass Double-Tax Relief Legislation
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On June 18, 2026, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te received a U.S. House delegation –– including Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA), second vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Representative Valerie Foushee (D-NC), a member of the caucus –– at the Presidential Office.

During the meeting, Lai called for expanded Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in defense, technology, industry, and artificial intelligence (AI), while also highlighting the need to remove remaining barriers to cross-border investment.
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Breaking Down the Double Taxation Barrier

President Lai explicitly called on the U.S. Congress to expedite the passage of U.S.-Taiwan double taxation relief legislation, which he said would reduce cross-border investment barriers and further foster bilateral commercial cooperation.

This push directly aligns with the relevant Senate legislation, the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act (S.199). This bipartisan legislation complements the House version (H.R.33), which overwhelmingly passed the House by a 423–1 vote in January 2025.

Meanwhile, American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) President Carl Wegner announced that he would lead a high-level business delegation to Washington for “door-knock” meetings with U.S. officials on boosting bilateral trade.

Wegner expressed optimism that the long-stalled double-tax relief effort could move further forward in the near future, bolstered by the momentum of the U.S.-Taiwan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed in February 2026.
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AI and Semiconductor Pipeline

Against the backdrop of the accelerating AI revolution, eliminating double taxation has become increasingly urgent. Driven by the unprecedented AI boom, two-way trade in goods reached US$256 billion in 2025, making Taiwan the United States’ fourth-largest trading partner (surpassing Japan, Germany, and South Korea).

During the meeting with the U.S. House delegation, President Lai highlighted the newly established U.S.-Taiwan Semiconductor Education Alliance –– an initiative designed to promote collaboration among universities, industry, and government stakeholders to strengthen bilateral semiconductor workforce talent pipelines.
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Implications

AmCham’s 2026 Business Climate Survey highlights Taiwan’s vital role in global technology supply chains, with 92% of members planning to maintain or increase investments in Taiwan. The survey also found that 76% of respondents consider a double taxation avoidance agreement important to their business, underscoring the private-sector demand for congressional action.

Separately, AmCham’s 2026 Taiwan White Paper frames Taiwan as a critical partner for U.S. technology supply chains and Indo-Pacific stability, highlighting significant opportunities for U.S.-Taiwan R&D and co-production in drones, robotics, and other asymmetric capabilities.

Given these growing economic bonds, it is essential that the U.S. Senate swiftly pass the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act (S.199) to remove remaining barriers to deeper bilateral investment and cooperation.
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Sources:

[1] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606180027

[2] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/19/2003859364

[3] S.199 / H.R.33 (United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act)
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/199
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/33

[4] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2026/06/16/2003859204

[5] Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/fact-sheets/2026/february/fact-sheet-us-taiwan-agreement-reciprocal-trade

[6] AmCham Taiwan (2026 Taiwan White Paper)
https://amcham.com.tw/2026/06/2026-taiwan-white-paper-messages-to-washington/

[7] American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
https://www.ait.org.tw/us-taiwan-partners-advance-semiconductor-workforce-cooperation-through-new-higher-education-alliance/

[8] AmCham Taiwan (2026 Business Climate Survey)
https://amcham.com.tw/advocacy/2026-business-climate-survey/
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Photos: Taiwan’s Presidential Office; AmCham Taiwan (Screenshots)

📢 Last 9 Days! Help Ensure Taiwan Is Represented Accurately on Future Museum Maps! 🗺️🏛️

The National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission’s public comment period closes on June 30!
FAPA, together with TAA-USA全美台灣同鄉會, launched the “Share Our Voice” campaign to help ensure that future museum exhibits and maps represent Taiwan accurately, rather than portraying Taiwan as part of China. We also want to ensure that Taiwanese Americans’ unique history, culture, identity, and stories are recognized and included in the planning of the future museum. ✨

💪 Join us by taking 3 simple actions:

📝 1. Submit your public comment by June 30
👉 https://reurl.cc/ep4nnj

🔥 2. Need help answering the questions? See our suggested responses
👉 https://reurl.cc/Ga9ZXA

📣 3. Share with your family and friends, and encourage them to participate! 👥

Every comment and every share helps make Taiwanese American stories and contributions more visible. ✨

📢【國家亞太裔博物館意見徵集最後倒數 9 天！一起確保未來博物館地圖正確標示台灣！🗺️🏛️】

國家亞太裔美國人歷史文化博物館籌備委員會的意見徵集即將在6/30截止！FAPA 與全美台灣同鄉會（TAA-USA）共同發起 Share Our Voice 行動，確保未來博物館不會將台灣納入中國的一部分；也希望台美人的獨特歷史、文化、認同與故事，能被展覽正確和完整的呈現！✨

💪 我們需要大家一起完成 3 件事：

📝 1. 在 6 月 30 日前提交意見書
👉 https://reurl.cc/ep4nnj

🔥 2. 不知道怎麼回答？請參考我們的回答建議
👉 https://reurl.cc/mpmWAV

📣 3. 分享給親朋好友，一起參與發聲！ 👥

每一份意見都能確保讓台灣被正確的看見，讓更多人看見台美人的故事與貢獻！✨

新聞稿 – 2026 年 6 月 23 日
美國華盛頓哥倫比亞特區
聯絡電話（美國）：202-547-3686
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FAPA 2026 募款巡迴演講展開：胡振東台灣防衛講座獲台美人熱烈支持
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台灣人公共事務會（FAPA）2026 募款巡迴演講於 6 月 17 日正式展開，由全美各地 FAPA 分會共同主辦，並邀請兩位講者全美巡迴。首波演講由胡振東（Tony Hu）主講，以「美台軍事關係與台灣防衛」（U.S.-Taiwan Military Relations & the Defense of Taiwan）為題，在台灣與印太安全面臨嚴峻挑戰的關鍵時刻，凝聚台美人社群共同關注台灣防衛議題。

巡迴演講至今已在四個場次吸引近 200 人參與，並獲得媒體報導，包括加州拉古納伍茲（Laguna Woods）與 洛杉磯（ Los Angeles ）、喬治亞州亞特蘭大（ Atlanta ），以及佛羅里達州勞德岱堡市（ Fort Lauderdale ），展現 FAPA 社群強大的草根力量。前幾場演講也引發現場熱烈討論，胡振東除了探討美台軍事合作中的軍售議題外，也深入淺出說明台灣的國防軍購程序、民防、認知作戰等新興威脅，並就海外台灣人在危機時刻如何為台灣提供關鍵支持提出具體建議。

FAPA 總會會長林素梅博士表示：「台灣安全不只是軍事議題，也關乎公共理解、社會韌性與國際支持。透過這次巡迴演講，FAPA 希望幫助更廣大的美國大眾深入理解台灣所面臨的挑戰，也讓大家看見我們社群的聲音與行動為何如此重要。」

胡振東過去長期任職於美國政府及國防產業，深度參與美台安全合作、軍售與國防事務。他曾在美國空軍服役 27 年，並曾擔任美國國防部長辦公室資深主任、美國在台協會（AIT）安全合作辦公室副主任與代理主任，以及雷神科技台灣區經理。
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2026 FAPA 募款巡迴演講已完成場次：
• 6月17日 — Laguna Woods, CA
• 6月18日 — Los Angeles, CA
• 6月20日 — Atlanta, GA
• 6月21日 — Fort Lauderdale, FL
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接下來巡迴場次包括：
• 6 月 23 日 — Gainesville, FL
• 6 月 24 日 — Tampa, FL
• 6 月 25 日 — Orlando, FL
• 6 月 27 日 — Rockville, MD
• 6 月 28 日 — Hillsborough, NJ
• 7 月 3 日 — Chicago, IL
• 7 月 5 日 — Kansas City, KS
• 7 月 8 日 — St. Louis, MO
• 7 月 10 日 — Dallas, TX
• 7 月 12 日 — San Diego, CA
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如欲查看完整場次並報名參加，請至 FAPA 2026 募款巡迴演講頁面：
https://fapa.org/2026-fundraising-speech-tour-tony-hu/

FAPA 第二波全美巡迴演講預告：7月8日起，FAPA 將邀請《法律白話文運動》共同創辦人、時事評論員與媒體主持人劉珞亦（Roy Liu），以「在政治與教育的戰場上，找回台灣民主的防衛機制」為題進行演講。詳情請見：https://fapa.org/2026-fundraising-speech-tour-roy-liu/
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# # #

For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – June 23, 2026
Contact: 202-547-3686
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FAPA’s 2026 Fundraising Speech Tour Kicks Off with Strong Community Support for Tony Hu’s Taiwan Defense Talks
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The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) launched its 2026 Fundraising Speech Tour on June 17, 2026. Organized by local FAPA chapters across the United States, the nationwide tour features two invited speakers. The first part of the tour highlights Tony Hu (胡振東) and his talk, “U.S.-Taiwan Military Relations & the Defense of Taiwan,” bringing Taiwanese American communities together at a critical moment for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security.

To date, the tour has drawn close to 200 attendees and received media coverage across four stops — Laguna Woods and Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This turnout demonstrates strong grassroots support across FAPA communities. The initial events have also sparked lively audience engagement, with Hu addressing topics such as U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation beyond arms sales, Taiwan’s defense procurement process, civil defense, emerging threats like cognitive warfare, and the critical role overseas Taiwanese can play in supporting Taiwan in moments of crisis.

“Taiwan’s security is not only a military issue; it is also a matter of public understanding, social resilience, and international support,” said Dr. Su-Mei Kao (林素梅), National President of FAPA. “Through this speech tour, FAPA hopes to help the broader American public better understand the challenges Taiwan faces and why our community’s voice and action matter.”

Tony Hu served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and is a former U.S. government official and U.S. defense industry executive. He previously served as Taiwan In-Country Manager for Raytheon Technologies, Senior Director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Deputy Chief and Acting Chief of the Security Cooperation Office at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). His career has focused extensively on U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation, defense policy, and military affairs.
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2026 FAPA Fundraising Speech Tour: Stops Completed So Far
• June 17 — Laguna Woods, CA
• June 18 — Los Angeles, CA
• June 20 — Atlanta, GA
• June 21 — Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Upcoming stops include:
• June 23 — Gainesville, FL
• June 24 — Tampa, FL
• June 25 — Orlando, FL
• June 27 — Rockville, MD
• June 28 — Hillsborough, NJ
• July 3 — Chicago, IL
• July 5 — Kansas City, KS
• July 8 — St. Louis, MO
• July 10 — Dallas, TX
• July 12 — San Diego, CA
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To view the full schedule and register for an upcoming event, please visit FAPA’s 2026 Fundraising Speech Tour page: https://fapa.org/2026-fundraising-speech-tour-tony-hu/

Starting July 8, FAPA will feature Roy Liu (劉珞亦), co-founder of Plain Law Movement, political commentator, and media host, with his talk, “Rebuilding Taiwan’s Democratic Defense Through Politics and Education.” More information: https://fapa.org/2026-fundraising-speech-tour-roy-liu/
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Taiwan Becomes Home to the First Overseas Evaluation Partner for U.S. “Green UAS” Drone Certification
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On June 4, 2026, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI; 工研院) announced that it had become an authorized evaluation body under the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) “Green UAS” certification program. This critical framework assesses cybersecurity and supply-chain integrity in commercial and non-defense drone systems.

This designation makes Taiwan the first country outside the U.S. with a recognized Green UAS evaluation body, allowing Taiwanese companies to complete key testing and evaluation steps locally. Partnering with the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (漢翔航空), Taiwan is positioned to develop into a regional testing and validation hub aligned with U.S. trusted-drone standards, helping Taiwanese drone companies expand into the U.S. and other markets.
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Taiwan Enters the U.S. Trusted Drone Pipeline

This milestone establishes a domestic fast track for Taiwanese drone firms to enter the American commercial and defense ecosystems by allowing key Green UAS evaluations to be completed in Taiwan.

AUVSI Chief Executive Officer Michael Robbins noted that “Green UAS” serves as the commercial standard managed by AUVSI, while “Blue UAS” is the government standard adopted by the U.S. Department of War. Drones that meet Green UAS standards can advance through a review process toward Blue UAS compliance.

Robbins further noted that once Taiwanese companies secure Green UAS certification, their products may qualify for relevant exemptions from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Covered List restrictions and potentially become eligible for sales to the U.S. Department of War.

This partnership aligns closely with Washington’s push for trusted, non-PRC (or “non-Red”) supply chains. The exclusion of PRC-manufactured components is increasingly becoming a core requirement for U.S. defense contracts. The Pentagon’s $1 billion Drone Dominance Program aims to expand demand for large-scale, low-cost allied production, which could further strengthen Taiwan’s role as a trusted defense-technology partner.
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Implications

This development advances Taiwan’s vision of becoming a leading Asian drone supply chain center by leveraging its world-class semiconductor, systems integration, and trusted technology strengths.

Alignment with U.S. cybersecurity and procurement standards would further strengthen Taiwan’s defense resilience and position the country as a key Indo-Pacific hub for trusted, non-PRC drone supply chains.
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Sources:
[1] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2026/06/05/2003858538
[2] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202606040018
[3] The Liberty Times
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5462261
[4] Global Taiwan Institute
https://globaltaiwan.org/2025/09/better-ahead-than-red/
[5] Drone Dominance
https://drone-dominance.io/
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Photos: CNA; Liberty Times

Congressional Committees Advance Taiwan Defense Measures in FY2027 NDAA and Defense Appropriations Bill
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Key U.S. House and Senate committees recently advanced important Taiwan defense measures in two major defense bills. After the House Armed Services Committee approved its version of the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on June 4, the House Appropriations Committee released its FY2027 Defense Appropriations Bill on June 10, proposing US$2 billion in funding to bolster Taiwan’s defense.

The Senate Armed Services Committee subsequently advanced its own version of the FY2027 NDAA on June 11, further underscoring strong congressional support for strengthening Taiwan’s defense and deterrence.
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Key Taiwan Provisions

The House FY2027 NDAA includes up to US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities, including funding for medical support, training, and the joint development of unmanned systems with the United States.

The House FY2027 Defense Appropriations Bill allocates US$1 billion for TSCI, available through September 30, 2028. It provides an additional US$1 billion for the replacement of defense articles and reimbursement of defense services supplied to Taiwan.

The Senate FY2027 NDAA authorizes the Department of Defense to establish a War Reserve Stockpile (WRS) program for Taiwan to strengthen wartime logistics, pre-positioned supplies, and long-term sustainment. The bill also redesignates TSCI as the First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative (FICSCI), extends it through 2032, and makes the Philippines eligible for assistance. Additionally, it requires a review of delays in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
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Implications

These measures suggest that U.S. congressional defense policy and funding proposals are increasingly treating Taiwan’s defense as part of a regional First Island Chain denial defense framework, rather than solely as a bilateral U.S.-Taiwan security issue.

By linking Taiwan security assistance, wartime stockpiles, reviews of arms-sales delays, and regional defense cooperation, these bills reinforce the 2026 National Defense Strategy’s emphasis on building and sustaining a strong denial defense along the First Island Chain.

For Taiwan, this underscores its strategic importance to Indo-Pacific deterrence and to broader U.S. interests in preserving a favorable regional balance of power.
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Sources:

[1] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606060008

[2] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/06/12/2003858953

[3] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606120011

[4] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/07/2003858666

[5] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606110012

[6] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/06/13/2003859013

[7] U.S. Department of War (2026 National Defense Strategy)
https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY.PDF
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Photos: CNA; Senate Armed Services Committee; Department of War

COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2026 Solidifies Taiwan’s Leading Role in Global AI Ecosystem
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Held from June 2 to 5, 2026, this year’s COMPUTEX TAIPEI reached record highs in both scale and international participation, bringing together 1,500 technology companies from 33 countries and occupying 6,000 exhibition booths under the theme “AI Together.”

The unprecedented scale of the event firmly establishes Taiwan’s position as a global center of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware, advanced manufacturing, and technology integration, showcasing its profound economic resilience and undisputed role at the frontline of global technology development.
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The Geopolitical Anchor of Global AI Integration

The global AI revolution is heavily dependent on Taiwan’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Addressing the opening ceremony, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te directly linked peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait with the security of the global AI supply chain. He emphasized that maintaining the political “status quo” is Taiwan’s most responsible pledge to global supply chains.

As international technology giants gather to transition AI from cloud computing into real-world deployment –– such as autonomous robotics, automotive platforms, and smart manufacturing –– Taiwan’s cohesive and highly flexible information and communication technology (ICT) supply chain serves as the indispensable foundation for global AI integration.
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Highlights of U.S. Tech Giants

The event featured high-profile keynote addresses and forum presentations by leaders of major U.S. technology companies, including Jensen Huang, Cristiano Amon, Matt Murphy, and Lip-Bu Tan, the CEOs of NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Marvell, and Intel, respectively.

A major highlight came from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who enthusiastically praised the local ecosystem, describing Taiwan as the “epicenter of the AI revolution.” His remarks highlighted NVIDIA’s massive expansion in Taiwan, noting that the company’s procurement tied to Taiwan’s local ecosystem has grown to roughly US$150 billion annually, and that NVIDIA plans to build its new Taiwan headquarters in Taipei, which is set to be operational by 2030 and employ up to 4,000 people.
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Implications

COMPUTEX 2026 further underscored that Taiwan is not merely a tech manufacturing hub, but the strategic backbone of the global AI supply chain. Despite growing cross-Strait tensions and China’s continued pressure, major U.S. technology firms are aggressively expanding their investments and deepening their partnerships in Taiwan, demonstrating that a stable, sovereign, and democratic Taiwan remains vital to the next stage of AI development.
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Sources:

[1] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2026/06/02/2003858362

[2] Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-leader-says-keeping-political-status-quo-is-best-secure-supply-chains-2026-06-02/

[3] COMPUTEX Daily
https://computexdaily.com/2026/06/02/computex-2026-opens-amid-surging-global-demand-for-ai-infrastructure/

[4] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202605260016

[5] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202605270009

[6] Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nvidia-ceo-says-taiwan-is-epicentre-ai-revolution-2026-05-27/
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Photos: CNA

Taiwan Bolsters Anti-Ship Missile Arsenal to Strengthen “Kill Zone” Strategy
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Taiwan is sharply increasing its anti-ship missile (ASM) arsenal, with its total stockpile projected to exceed 1,800 ASMs by early 2029, according to a Reuters report. The buildup includes missiles launched from aircraft, ships, and ground-based launchers, reflecting Taiwan’s broader shift toward an asymmetric defense posture against the growing Chinese military threat.

This expanding ASM force is central to Taiwan’s “kill zone” strategy in the Taiwan Strait, where defenders seek to use large numbers of affordable but lethal precision weapons to offset China’s overwhelming firepower advantage. Alongside shorter-range missiles and swarms of surface and aerial drones, these capabilities are intended to make any Chinese invasion or blockade far more costly and difficult to execute.
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Asymmetric Firepower and Reliable Deterrence

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, existing anti-ship missiles are currently deployed around the nation “in a mobile and dispersed manner to preserve combat effectiveness.” ASMs “can establish a powerful maritime strike capability and degrade the enemy’s combat effectiveness,” the defense ministry said.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Grant Newsham noted that anti-ship missiles are a “sensible” investment for Taiwan, emphasizing that long-range precision weapons could threaten or destroy Chinese vessels before they even set out across the Taiwan Strait, or at any point between the Chinese coast and Taiwan’s shores. “Employed properly and with adequate numbers, these missiles are a huge problem for a Chinese invasion force,” Newsham added.

Taiwan is also expected to field more than 1,000 domestically produced Hsiung Feng II and III anti-ship cruise missiles by early 2029, complementing its U.S.-supplied Harpoon missiles. This robust domestic production pipeline underscores Taiwan’s growing defense self-reliance, ensuring a sustainable, independent supply of high-impact deterrence capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty.
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U.S. Support and Arms Deliveries

Taiwan’s ASM supply is tightly linked to its strategic partnership with the United States and U.S. defense contractors, including Boeing, which manufactures the Harpoon missile. Senior Taiwanese officials reported that Taiwan’s military currently possesses 450 Boeing-made Harpoon missiles and is in the process of receiving 400 more land-based variants. Data collected by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute also indicate that the Trump administration approved the sale of an additional 195 air-launched ASMs. However, the deal terms are still being negotiated.

At a March 2026 House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing titled “Reforming America’s Defense Sales,” Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director Michael F. Miller testified that under standing policy guidance, Taiwan remains the United States’ top priority for Harpoon ASM deliveries.
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Implications

Taiwan’s missile buildup reflects critical lessons drawn from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where asymmetric deployments of missiles and drones have demonstrated how weaker actors can retain the capacity to fight back and impose significant costs on more powerful adversaries.

By setting up a concentrated “kill zone” in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s objective is to decisively disrupt a Chinese invasion fleet before it reaches Taiwan’s beaches, thereby securing critical time for the United States and other democratic allies to respond and mobilize.

To coordinate this expanded firepower, Taiwan’s military will formally establish the Littoral Combat Command on July 1, 2026. This new command will integrate the nation’s coastal radars, anti-ship missiles, and drones into a single, unified combat force to strengthen its overall defense readiness.
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Sources:

[1] Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/taiwan-beefs-up-anti-ship-missile-arsenal-counter-threat-chinese-invasion-2026-06-04/

[2] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/05/2003858583

[3] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)
https://fapa.org/2026-0323-u-s-reaffirms-taiwans-arms-delivery-priority-six-assurances-u-s-intervention-raises-chinas-invasion-failure-risk/

[4] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202603180006
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Photos: Boeing; Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense

Proposed US$14 Billion Taiwan Arms Sale Still Under Review, Rubio and Trump Say
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On June 2 and 3, 2026, during congressional budget hearings on the State Department’s FY 2027 budget request, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that U.S. policy and commitments toward Taiwan remain unchanged and that Washington does not consult Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan. He also clarified that the proposed US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan has not been halted, but rather remains under review.

U.S. President Donald Trump later confirmed that his administration is still considering the proposed arms package, while indicating that he still plans to discuss the issue with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
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U.S. Taiwan Policy and Six Assurances Unchanged

During the June 2 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Rubio stated that there had been “no change” in U.S. policy toward Taiwan and that Washington wants to see the cross-strait status quo preserved.

On June 3, Rubio again faced questions from lawmakers about Taiwan during additional congressional budget hearings, including the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the State Department’s FY 2027 budget request.

Throughout the hearings, Rubio reaffirmed that U.S. arms-sales decisions regarding Taiwan are not negotiated with or subject to consultation with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) — a core principle of the Six Assurances to Taiwan. He emphasized that the PRC’s objections to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are nothing new and do not give Beijing any role in Washington’s decisions.
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Taiwan Arms Package Still Under Review

During the hearings, Rubio clarified that the proposed US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan has not been “paused,” stating instead that the package remains under review as it moves through the administration’s internal process.

He explained that the package is significant in scale and carries implications for the U.S. defense industrial base and future production capacity, requiring the administration to balance those factors with other considerations.

Rubio also pointed to the administration’s December 2025 approval of an approximately US$11 billion arms package for Taiwan, describing it as the largest U.S. arms package for Taiwan by dollar value in the history of U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation.
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Trump’s Latest Response

Following Rubio’s testimony, President Trump said on June 5 that Washington is still considering the proposed US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan. Asked by reporters aboard Air Force One whether he had made a decision on the package, Trump replied, “We’re looking at that.” Trump also indicated that he still planned to speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying, “I’ll always talk to him.”

President Lai has previously said that, if given the opportunity to speak with Trump, he would stress that improving Taiwan’s defense capabilities and purchasing U.S. weapons are necessary measures to safeguard Taiwan’s security and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
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Sources:

[1] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/04/2003858530

[2] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606040005

[3] Taipei Times
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/07/2003858667

[4] Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/rubio-no-change-us-policy-taiwan-2026-06-02/

[5] Central News Agency (CNA)
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202606040015.aspx

[6] Focus Taiwan
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606060005
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Photos: CNA

Bipartisan “Blue Skies for Taiwan Act” Introduced in U.S. House to Bolster Secure U.S.-Taiwan Drone Cooperation
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On May 26, 2026, Representative Eugene Vindman (D-VA) introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act (H.R.9042) in the U.S. House, with Representatives Michael Lawler (R-NY) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) joining as original cosponsors.

The Senate companion (S.4259) was previously introduced on March 26, 2026, by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and John Curtis (R-UT), with Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) joining as a cosponsor.
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Why It Matters

This crucial bipartisan legislation aims to expand U.S.-Taiwan technical, industrial, and supply-chain cooperation on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as Taiwan faces intensifying pressure from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Beijing’s continued dominance of the global UAS supply chain.

By creating a fast-track certification process for trusted Taiwanese drone and component manufacturers, the bill helps build a robust “Blue UAS” ecosystem that is secure, resilient, and independent of China-linked technology and components. This initiative directly enhances American national security while bolstering Taiwan’s defense readiness and resilience.
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Strategic Implications

This legislation marks a significant evolution in U.S.-Taiwan relations by moving beyond traditional, one-way arms sales toward a more reciprocal defense-industrial partnership. By integrating Taiwan into the Pentagon’s Blue UAS framework, the United States is recognizing Taiwan’s technological and manufacturing strengths as indispensable assets for addressing critical gaps in allied drone production.

At a time when Taiwan’s domestic drone industry is rapidly expanding yet faces complex uncertainties in its own domestic defense funding, this legislation sends a powerful strategic signal. It establishes that the United States has a clear, vested interest in helping Taiwan scale secure, PRC-free drone production as part of a broader Indo-Pacific deterrence architecture.

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Sources:

[1] H.R.9042 / S.4259 (Blue Skies for Taiwan Act)
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9042
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4259

[2] Office of Sen. Jeff Merkley
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-cruz-kim-curtis-launch-bipartisan-effort-to-expand-taiwans-drone-production-support-u-s-national-security/

[3] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)
https://fapa.org/2026-0518-trump-urged-to-approve-14b-taiwan-arms-package-house-committee-advances-porcupine-act-house-resolution-celebrates-tahw-taiwans-non-red-drone-supply-chains/

[4] FAPA
https://fapa.org/2026-0511-taiwans-legislature-passes-reduced-special-defense-budget-senate-resolution-highlights-prc-threats-rightscon-2026-canceled-after-chinese-pressure-to-exclude-taiwanese-activists/
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Photos: CNA, Wikimedia Commons