US senators visit Taiwan, will discuss trade and meet president

16/4/2025 17:07

Three U.S. senators are visiting Taiwan this week and will discuss trade and other issues with President Lai Ching-te, a trip that comes as Taipei pushes ahead with tariff talks with Washington.



The American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei, said in a statement on Wednesday that two Republican senators, Pete Ricketts and Ted Budd, along with a Democrat senator, Chris Coons, were visiting until Saturday as part of a broader visit to the region.



While U.S. lawmakers regularly visit the island, this is the first since President Donald Trump took office in January.



Taiwan, which had been due to be hit with 32% levies as part of Trump's now paused tariff regime, held its first round of direct talks with U.S. officials last week to discuss the issue.



"The delegation will engage in a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other significant issues of mutual interest," the institute said.



"Their visit underscores the United States' commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and reaffirms our shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific."