No Meeting Scheduled with Johnny Chiang; U.S. Senate Leader Vows to Make Taiwan a 'Porcupine'

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated he has no scheduled meeting with Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Johnny Chiang during her Washington visit. However, he strongly reiterated his support for enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, advocating for all efforts to make Taiwan as difficult to attack as a "porcupine" to counter pressure and provocations from China.

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this week has not arranged to meet with Johnny Chiang

In response to media questions, Thune confirmed that no meeting was arranged for the week. When discussing Taiwan's security, Thune clearly expressed his support, stating, "If we have the opportunity to do so, I will certainly support it." He observed that the U.S. Congress wishes to do everything possible to help Taiwan maintain sufficient defense capabilities to cope with pressure and provocations from China.

The "Porcupine Strategy" has become a significant discussion point in U.S.-Taiwan security circles in recent years. Its core concept involves increasing the operational costs and risks for potential aggressors by employing a large number of mobile, dispersed, and relatively low-cost asymmetric forces when facing an adversary with significantly superior military power. Discussions typically encompass drones, mobile anti-ship missiles, air defense systems, anti-aircraft missiles, and distributed combat capabilities.

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support all efforts to make Taiwan as difficult to attack as a "porcupine"

Thune's remarks come at a time when Washington is continuously discussing arms sales to Taiwan and cross-strait security. Former President Trump recently stated that a decision on a new batch of arms sales to Taiwan would be made soon, calling arms sales "very good bargaining chips." In recent years, lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties have advocated for the United States to continue assisting Taiwan in acquiring necessary defense equipment to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

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If we have the opportunity to do so, I will certainly support it.