Taiwan President Lai Ching-te issued a message of condolence following the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) [1, 2].
The gesture highlights the strategic importance of Graham's legislative support for Taiwan's security and his role in maintaining stability within the Taiwan Strait.
Graham died on July 12, 2024 [3]. He was 71 years old [3]. A medical examiner reported the cause of death as aortic dissection [5], while other reports described it as a heart ailment [3] resulting from a brief and sudden illness [4].
President Lai emphasized the senator's contributions to the region's security. "We thank Senator Graham for his steadfast support for Taiwan's self-defence and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Lai said [6].
Graham's commitment to the island was demonstrated through three separate visits to Taiwan [7]. His most recent trip occurred in 2022 [7].
Former President Donald Trump also commented on the loss. Trump said Graham was "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known" [8]. This relationship evolved over time, as Graham had previously been a vocal critic of Trump before becoming a staunch ally [9].
The condolence message was issued from Taiwan's Presidential Office following the news of Graham's death in the United States [1, 3].
“We thank Senator Graham for his steadfast support for Taiwan's self-defence and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
The public acknowledgement by President Lai underscores the critical role that individual U.S. lawmakers play in sustaining Taiwan's defense capabilities. By highlighting Graham's multiple visits and legislative stance, Taiwan reinforces its diplomatic ties with key Republican figures to ensure bipartisan support for its security in the face of regional tensions.
