Lai Urges More Security Cooperation on Drones With US
President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan and the US should strengthen cooperation on drone development. He spoke during a meeting with US Senator Tammy Duckworth, a longtime supporter of Taiwan's self-defense efforts. Duckworth has been critical of US President Donald Trump's engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping. She says her visit underscores continued bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan, regardless of which administration is in power.
US Senator Visits Taiwan
REPORTER:
President Lai Ching-te has welcomed US Senator Tammy Duckworth on her fifth visit to Taiwan, urging stronger security cooperation between the two sides.
Lai Ching-te (TAIWAN PRESIDENT):
Taiwan and the US are key strategic and economic partners. On security cooperation we look forward to Taiwan and the US moving from arms sales to a partnership based on co-production and co-development.
REPORTER:
Lai said that Taiwan and the US could cooperate on drone development, as the US seeks to avoid China-linked “red” supply chains. He said this would strengthen technological resilience and that greater mutual investment would also boost bilateral ties. Duckworth said she wants to show the US remains a “reliable partner” for Taiwan, despite US President Donald Trump’s openness to using arms sales to Taipei as a bargaining chip with Beijing.
Tammy Duckworth (US SENATOR):
In this moment, when some voices may question the United States’ commitment, I will reiterate that I and my bipartisan colleagues in Congress will continue to push for continued support for Taiwan and to uphold decades of US policy in support of Taiwan’s security.
REPORTER:
Duckworth’s delegation will end their visit on Wednesday.
