On November 26, 2024, a delegation led by US Senator Jeff Merkley, Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), visited Taiwan from November 25 to 27. During their visit, they met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President Lai Ching-te, and other officials.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China issued a press release announcing the visit of US Senator Jeff Merkley to Taiwan. Senator Merkley, a long-time supporter of Taiwan, visited the country on November 25. The ministry warmly welcomed Merkley’s visit as a demonstration of strong support for Taiwan’s people and the Taiwan-US relationship.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the delegation’s stay in Taiwan, they will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President Lai Ching-te, and National Security Council Secretary-General David Lee. They will also attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu to discuss various issues including Taiwan-US partnership, economic development, and the security situation in the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Senator Merkley has been a strong advocate for Taiwan, actively working to strengthen Taiwan-US relations through legislative actions and expanding Taiwan’s international space. As a member of the Democratic Party, Senator Merkley, along with Republican Senator Marco Rubio, introduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act in 2023 and the resolution commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act this year, showcasing bipartisan support for Taiwan in the US Congress.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that Senator Merkley is also the Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), focusing on human rights violations and repression by the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan and the United States share common values of democracy, freedom, and rule of law. The ministry pledged to continue working closely with friends in the US Congress and government to deepen the rock-solid comprehensive partnership between Taiwan and the US.
In a press release by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), it was mentioned that Senator Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, visited Taiwan from November 25 to 27 as part of his broader tour of the Indo-Pacific region. During his visit, he engaged with top Taiwanese leaders to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade investment, and other important topics relevant to both sides.
Senator Merkley is a staunch advocate for democracy, human rights, and rule of law. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Co-Chair of the CECC, he has been at the forefront of strengthening Congressional support for partnerships between the US and democratic societies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan. He has also been dedicated to advocating for the rights and cultural heritage of the Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans, Mongolians, and other ethnic groups through meaningful legislation.
Prior to becoming a US Senator, Merkley served as the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, Chair of the Oregon World Affairs Council, and worked as a national security analyst at the US Department of Defense and Congressional Budget Office. Senator Merkley is a graduate of Stanford University and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.