On June 26, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜), accompanied by Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, visited the U.S. Congress and met with U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA). President Han first congratulated the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence, and thanked Speaker Johnson for his long-standing and firm support for Taiwan and for advancing the development of Taiwan-U.S. relations. He also asked Speaker Johnson to continue supporting the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act so that it may complete the legislative process as soon as possible, which would further promote bilateral investment and economic and trade exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, as well as deepen the partnership between the two sides. The two sides then exchanged in-depth views on issues of mutual concern, including Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, economic and trade development, and industrial cooperation, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
President Han and the cross-party legislators then met with officials from the U.S. Department of State to discuss Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, the development of the drone industry, assistance for Taiwan in expanding its international participation, and measures to facilitate investment in the United States by Taiwanese businesses. President Han stated that Taiwan attaches great importance to the development of the drone industry and looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in this area. He also noted that ever since U.S. President Harry S. Truman ordered the Seventh Fleet to help defend the Taiwan Strait in 1950, the people of Taiwan have understood the importance of U.S. support for Taiwan’s security. Facing an increasingly severe regional situation, Taiwan will continue to safeguard its homeland through both hard and soft power. On the one hand, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense and self-defense capabilities; on the other, Taiwan will continue to let its democracy shine while working to build a better future.
In the afternoon, the delegation traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to attend the inaugural ceremony for EVA Air’s Washington, D.C.–Taipei nonstop flight. The ceremony was hosted by EVA Air President Clay Sun. In his remarks, President Han said he was honored to witness in person the launch of EVA Air’s nonstop service between Washington, D.C. and Taipei as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding. This new route is EVA Air’s 10th destination in the United States and will connect important political and economic hubs in Taiwan and the United States, providing travelers with a more convenient transportation option. President Han thanked EVA Air and all those who helped make the route possible, and expressed confidence that the new service will further promote Taiwan-U.S. exchanges in trade, tourism, international affairs, and other areas. He concluded by saying that the most important thing for an airline is its routes; for passengers, the most important thing is a safe journey home. He was pleased that after completing a week-long visit to the United States, he would be returning home on a Taiwanese airline.
The visit by President Han and the cross-party legislators to the United States not only demonstrated the Legislative Yuan’s firm determination to continue deepening Taiwan-U.S. relations and advancing parliamentary diplomacy, but also further strengthened the Taiwan-U.S. partnership in areas including security, trade, technology, and industrial linkages through in-depth exchanges with members of the U.S. Congress, executive branch officials, think tank scholars, Taiwanese businesspeople, overseas compatriots, and representatives from various sectors. The visit coincided with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the launch of the Taipei–Washington, D.C. nonstop flight, making the delegation’s visit at this historic moment especially meaningful. It is hoped that the Taiwan-U.S. partnership will continue to grow stronger and remain enduringly vibrant. (2026/06/26)
