TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  Republican lawmakers voiced support for Taiwan on Thursday (July 18) following Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's comment about its defense.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul responded to a series of CNA questions in writing. Regarding Trump's comments, McCaul wrote that Trump simply wanted U.S. allies to play a more significant role in their own defense. He added that Taiwan is one of the biggest buyers of U.S. weapons and a role model for others to follow, per CNA.

Regarding delayed arms shipments, McCaul said the Biden administration was slow considering two ongoing wars and a global hot zone. He concluded by saying the U.S. needs a president who can get the defense industry back on track.

House Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-chair and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chair Mario Diaz-Balart said his position allows him to assure Taiwan of congressional backing. He added that Taiwan plays a crucial role in maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region while countering the Chinese Communist Party's malign influence.

Diaz-Balart co-sponsored the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific partners NT$65 billion (US$2 billion) in Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

He added the congressional budget for fiscal 2024 allocates NT$9 billion (US$300 million) in FMF, and Congress has approved additional legislation for 2025 to provide an additional NT$15 billion in FMF to enhance Taiwan's deterrence capabilities. Diaz-Balart echoed Like McCaul's assertion that Taiwan's acquisition of U.S. arms supports U.S. businesses and creates jobs.

Diaz-Balart reaffirmed the U.S. government's support for Taiwan and expressed his belief that this would continue under a Trump administration. 

In an interview with Bloomberg, Trump had suggested Taiwan was taking away U.S. chip deals and hoped Taiwan would contribute more financially to its own defense.