House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul met with Taiwanese President Lai despite threats from Chinese leader Xi Jinping. (Getty Images | House Committee on Foreign Affairs)
Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., chair of the Foreign Affairs panel's Indo-Pacific subcommittee, told Fox News Digital, "I thought both meetings went very productively today, we had frank conversations."
"In all of our conversations, one thing was made very clear. Nobody wants conflict in the Taiwan Strait," Kim said. "Our goal is not to think about an invasion or a potential conflict, our goal is to ensure there is that deterrence by providing Taiwan what they need to protect themselves and defend themselves."
The delegation is also made up of House Taiwan Caucus co-chair Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., as well as Reps. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.
Both the Taiwanese and U.S. leaders made clear that China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific is creating an increasingly dire situation.
It comes days after China encircled the island with dozens of warships and military planes as "punishment" for Lai’s advocacy for a free and independent Taiwan, according to Beijing's Defense Ministry.
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McCaul brought Lai a Stetson hat as a gesture of goodwill. (House Foreign Affairs Committee)
During his earlier remarks at the presidential office, Lai referenced former U.S. President Reagan’s foreign policy of peace through strength.
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"Therefore moving forward, I will enhance reform and bolster national defense, showing the world the Taiwanese People's determination to defend their homeland," Lai said.
The camaraderie between the U.S. lawmakers and Taiwanese officials was palpable during both meetings.
In a lighthearted moment before his remarks with Lai, McCaul modeled the American-made Stetson he brought as a gift for Lai. The two men shared a hug and handshake after the conclusion of their public remarks.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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