Senators Plan Taiwan Trip Ahead of Trump’s Summit With Xi Jinping

The trip could cause friction with Chinese leadership, which opposes relations with Taiwan and sees it as a challenge to Beijing’s claim of sovereignty.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) (C) speaks during a press conference in Congress in Washington on Sept. 19, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Four U.S. senators from both sides of the aisle are planning to visit Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea within the coming days to strengthen U.S. alliances that they see as critical to challenging China’s sphere of influence.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who serves as the ranking Democrat member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced the trip on March 28. Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) will join her on a trip to Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Seoul, South Korea, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s May summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.