Defense is priority, US tells TPP: sourceNATIONAL INTERESTS: The US hopes that the TPP can set aside partisan differences and demonstrate a unified stance on defense issues, a source told the ‘Liberty Times’By Su Yung-yao, Lee Wen-hsin, Hollie Younger and Fion KhanStaff reporters,with staff writers and CNAThe purpose of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang’s (黃國昌) whirlwind visit to Washington this week was to reiterate that improving Taiwan’s national defense capabilities is an “urgent and non-deferrable” priority, a Washington-based source familiar with the matter said. Photo: CNAThe four-person TPP delegation, which also comprises TPP caucus director Vicky Chen (陳智菡), former TPP International Department head Lin Tzu-yu (林子宇) and party member Wang An-hsiang (王安祥), left Taiwan on Sunday. The delegation on Monday held meetings in Washington with officials from the US National Security Council and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Unity would be a win-win outcome for the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan and the TPP, the source added. While countries in the first island chain are stepping up national defense efforts, there would be severe consequences if Taiwan lagged behind, the source said.
