Taiwan's representative to the United States, Alexander Yui (俞大㵢), urged the U.S. Senate to pass legislation aimed at reducing tax burdens between the two nations and to expedite military sales to Taiwan during a closed-door lunch meeting with House members on Wednesday.
Yui also expressed appreciation for American leaders recognizing the existential threat posed by China, but emphasized the need for faster delivery of weapons to Taiwan. He suggested that the U.S. should prioritize the delivery of military equipment that Taiwan has already purchased, while both sides work together to strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities. The envoy also highlighted increasing concerns about China's provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The representative from Taiwan specifically urged the Senate to pass the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act. This legislation has already passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support but is currently stalled in the Senate. The representative, Yui, pointed out that Taiwan is the only major U.S. trading partner without such tax relief arrangements, which he described as a concerning situation.
Republican Representative August Pfluger, who attended the meeting, told reporters the session demonstrated support for Taiwan's democratic government while condemning China's authoritarian policies. Pfluger highlighted the stark differences between Taiwan's openness and China's suppression of free speech and persecution of minority groups like Uyghur Muslims, describing these actions as deeply concerning.\