Cheng Li-wen Meets US Lawmakers, Discusses Arms Sales and Energy

(Central News Agency, Washington, D.C., 10th) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen visited Washington D.C. and met with bipartisan U.S. lawmakers on the 10th. Cheng stated that some lawmakers expressed concern over Taiwan's defense budget and arms sales. She explained to them that the KMT values cooperation on U.S. arms sales. Additionally, energy issues were a key topic of discussion. She declined to comment on whether she would visit the U.S. National Security Council (NSC).

Cheng began her U.S. trip in early June. After arriving in Washington D.C. on the 9th, she met with several U.S. lawmakers on the 10th, including Republican Senators Steve Daines, Republican Representatives John Rose and Chuck Fleischmann, and Democratic Representative Thomas Suozzi. Cheng and her delegation used the U.S. Capitol subway to travel between different office buildings.

Chin Jih-hsin, the KMT's representative in the U.S., who accompanied the delegation, said after the meeting with Daines that the senator was primarily concerned with energy issues. Daines is considered an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and led a delegation to China in early May.

Taiwanese media reported that Cheng's delegation was scheduled to visit NSC officials at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, west of the White House, on the afternoon of the 10th. However, reporters waiting at an entrance of the building did not see Cheng or her delegation arrive.

Chin stated that a meeting was scheduled for that time but could not disclose details. When asked earlier by the media whether she would visit the NSC, Cheng responded, "We have never been able to make a public statement on this."

After the undisclosed meeting, Chin noted that Cheng's delegation then met with U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast for about 45 minutes. Mast's primary concerns were cross-strait relations, U.S.-Taiwan relations, and defense issues.

Cheng told the media earlier that some lawmakers were concerned about defense budget and arms sales issues. "They wanted to see me in person and hear my views. That's why I had to come to Congress," she said. She wanted them to understand the KMT's true position. "We are not opposed to U.S. arms sales... We value cooperation with the U.S. on arms sales." Therefore, under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government's proposed NT$1.25 trillion budget, the KMT prioritizes passing the portion related to U.S. arms sales.

Cheng said the KMT hopes to comply with domestic legislative procedures, maintain fiscal discipline, and prevent potential corruption. She said she cherished the opportunity to communicate with U.S. lawmakers.

The Executive Yuan's proposed 8-year, NT$1.25 trillion special defense bill was stalled in the legislature for a long time. The version passed in May set a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion, excluded commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing, and significantly cut drone-related budgets. President Lai Ching-te stated that the government would take remedial measures by proposing a new special bill and addressing the shortfall through supplementary budgets and increased annual budgets.

Furthermore, Cheng stated that U.S. lawmakers were also concerned about energy and nuclear energy issues. They were frustrated with the DPP government's anti-nuclear stance and welcomed the KMT's support for nuclear energy. "We also hope to deepen cooperation in technology and energy in the future," she said.

Regarding nuclear energy, the Executive Yuan stated at the end of March that the government's goals for the second energy transition and its stance on nuclear energy remain unchanged. This stance is conditional on ensuring nuclear safety, resolving nuclear waste issues, and achieving social consensus. At the current stage, the government continues to develop diverse green energy and pursue the second energy transition. The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that it will complete nuclear safety inspections as soon as possible, with the goal of submitting them to the Nuclear Safety Commission for review by the end of 2027 at the latest. With nuclear safety as the top priority, it will promote the restart plans for the Guosheng (No. 2) and Maanshan (No. 3) nuclear power plants.