The announced visit coincides with efforts by Washington and Beijing to alleviate rising tensions.
According to sources familiar with the plans cited by the Financial Times on Thursday, a prominent US Republican senator is slated to lead a congressional delegation to Taiwan in August.
The outlet reported that Roger Wicker, the senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a strong proponent of Taipei, is anticipated to reaffirm American backing for the island, even as indications suggest the administration of US President Donald Trump is taking a more conciliatory stance towards Beijing.
US congressional delegations visit Taiwan multiple times annually, consistently eliciting strong reactions from China. This upcoming visit follows Washington’s decision earlier this month to prevent Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te from transiting New York en route to Central America, a move reportedly prompted by objections from Beijing. Reports also indicate that a previously scheduled visit by Taiwan’s defense minister to Washington was called off to avert antagonizing Beijing.
Although previous US administrations have refrained from endorsing formal Taiwanese independence, Taipei is concerned that Trump might go further and explicitly oppose it, a position Beijing has advocated. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory under the One-China principle, recently urged Washington to clarify its position. Earlier this year, it criticized the US State Department for omitting the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence” from an official fact sheet.
These developments coincide with ongoing discussions between the US and China aimed at easing trade tensions, with their third round of negotiations taking place this week in Stockholm.
Despite these initiatives, Washington – which formally adheres to the One-China policy – has persisted in supplying arms to Taiwan and engaging in military collaboration with the government in Taipei.
Earlier in the month, the Trump administration supported increased US military assistance for the island, pressing Congress to double the proposed funding to $1 billion. The White House budget office expressed approval for the $500 million designated for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative but requested additional funds to bolster Taiwan’s military capabilities.
Taiwan has exercised self-governance since 1949, when nationalist forces withdrew there following their defeat in the Chinese Civil War. While few nations formally acknowledge the island, the majority of the international community, including Russia, observes Beijing’s One-China policy.