Bennet Visits U.S. Pacific Command, Japan, and Taiwan to Deepen Cooperation, Underscore Support for Strengthened Indo-Pacific Deterrence

About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Map Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. Bennet Visits U.S. Pacific Command, Japan, and Taiwan to Deepen Cooperation, Underscore Support for Strengthened Indo-Pacific Deterrence From left: American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Judy Kuo, Senator Michael Bennet, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, and Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council Joseph Wu Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), recently concluded a visit to Japan and Taiwan, during which he met […] Oct 15, 2026 | Press Releases From left: American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Judy Kuo, Senator Michael Bennet, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, and Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council Joseph Wu Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), recently concluded a visit to Japan and Taiwan, during which he met with senior leaders, including Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, and discussed concrete steps to enhance joint efforts to strengthen defense and deter threats in the Indo-Pacific. Prior to visiting the region, Bennet also visited U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Headquarters in Hawaii, where he held consultations and received briefings on the U.S. posture and security cooperation. “This trip reinforced my belief in the necessity of further cooperation with key allies and partners like Japan and Taiwan to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is essential to U.S. national security and prosperity,” said Bennet. “In every meeting, Japan and Taiwan’s leaders underscored both the vital role of the United States and their readiness to contribute their fair share to our collective deterrence. I will continue pressing for passage of my legislation to enhance regional intelligence cooperation, to bolster space collaboration with Taiwan, and to share drone expertise learned in Ukraine with our partners in both Taipei and Tokyo. I will also continue pushing the Trump administration to advance the billions of dollars in arms sales to Taiwan that Congress has already authorized and appropriated. These bipartisan efforts are critical to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and across the Indo-Pacific, a region inextricably tied to America’s future.” In Hawaii, Bennet met U.S. military leadership, including PACOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. George Rowell, Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. David Iverson, and Space Forces – Pacific Commander Brig. Gen. Brian A. Denaro. Bennet discussed how greater intelligence cooperation can support regional deterrence, as well as the critical role Colorado-based U.S. Space Force, U.S. Army, and other units play in this effort. From left: Space Forces – Pacific Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. John W. Harms, Senator Bennet, and Space Forces – Pacific Commander Brig. Gen. Brian A. Denaro In Japan, Bennet met senior Japanese officials including Chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council Takayuki Kobayashi and State Minister of Defense Kiyoshi Odawara, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass. Bennet expressed his support for Japan’s ongoing intelligence reforms, underscoring the opportunity the reforms would create for stronger U.S.-Japan intelligence cooperation. Bennet also discussed his legislation in the SSCI-passed FY27 Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) to bolster intelligence cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies, particularly Japan. Additionally, he reaffirmed the U.S. desire to strengthen cooperation — both bilaterally and through other mechanisms — on defense co-production, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and space, including in Colorado. Senator Bennet with Takayuki Kobayashi, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council In Taiwan, Bennet met key leaders including President Lai Ching-te and Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, as well as American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Judy Kuo. Bennet commended the Taiwan government and legislature’s efforts to bolster defense spending, including for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). He emphasized that there is strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, including through the sale of the defensive weapons necessary for Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability. He also reaffirmed Congress’s bipartisan support for full implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. Additionally, he expressed his support for passage of legislation he sponsors to provide double-taxation relief on U.S.-Taiwan cross-border investment to remove cross-border investment barriers. Senator Bennet (left) with Legislative Yuan Speake