On November 26, 2025, the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET) hosted a bipartisan delegation of senior U.S. Congressional staff. The delegation included advisors from the offices of House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republican Leader Steve Scalise, House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. Delegates brought expertise spanning energy, technology, national security, and democratic governance. The visit facilitated in-depth exchanges on semiconductor supply chain security, U.S.–China drone competition, energy transition, artificial intelligence (AI), and democratic governance.
Regarding energy security, the delegation expressed concern over Taiwan’s energy resilience. DSET Energy Resilience Division Head, Mr. Lu Caiying, shared that although Taiwan relies heavily on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), careful dispatch of coal and renewable energy sources enables the maintenance of most electricity demand. DSET emphasized that energy security encompasses not only stockpiling but also demand management, diversification of energy sources, and enhancing the resilience of a decentralized power grid.
On the topic of drones, the delegation inquired about the status of U.S.–Taiwan cooperation and policy recommendations. DSET explained that Taiwan’s exports of drones to the United States grew from only 300 units in 2023 to over 10,000 units this year. Progress has also been made in technical and certification cooperation. However, joint production remains a key element for deepening collaboration. Relevant provisions on U.S.–Taiwan drone cooperation are already reflected in the current National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) draft, and DSET recommended that Congress continue to strengthen related cooperative initiatives.
Regarding AI, disinformation, and democratic governance, DSET’s Democratic Governance Division shared its research framework, emphasizing the necessity for governments to balance transparency, public reassurance, and combating disinformation.
In response to questions about DSET’s medium- and long-term policy objectives, the institute noted that in the coming year, it will focus on several areas of U.S.–Taiwan collaboration: in economic security, DSET will continue monitoring the strengthening of export control systems and countermeasures against Chinese subsidies for mature-node semiconductors; in FIMI (foreign influence, misinformation, and interference) and AI policy, it will continue analyzing relevant cases and promoting import restrictions on Chinese AI models; in energy security, DSET will track the Taiwan Energy Security Act proposed by the U.S. Congress and continue fostering related policy discussions to enhance international support for Taiwan’s energy resilience; and within the National Security Division, U.S.–Taiwan drone supply chains and Taiwan’s wartime communication resilience will remain key focus areas.
