US Lawmakers Plan Taiwan Visit Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

Bipartisan group of senators to reinforce alliances in Asia amid rising China tensions.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:03pm

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A bipartisan group of four U.S. senators, including the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, plan to visit Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea in the coming days. The trip is meant to bolster U.S. alliances seen as important to countering China's growing influence in Asia, and comes ahead of President Donald Trump's planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Why it matters

The lawmakers' stop in Taiwan could draw scrutiny from China, which opposes such relations and sees them as a challenge to its claim of sovereignty over the self-governing island. The visit demonstrates Congress' bipartisan commitment to these key regional partnerships, even as the Trump administration's foreign policy actions raise concerns about potential openings for rivals like China and Russia.

The details

The senators making the trip are Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). During their visits, they plan to meet with political leaders and defense officials to reinforce U.S. alliances. The economic relationship with Taiwan has also been a point of focus, with the Trump administration recently reaching a deal to remove 99% of Taiwan's trade barriers.

  • The senators will visit Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea in the coming days.
  • The trip comes ahead of President Trump's planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.

The players

Jeanne Shaheen

A Democratic senator from New Hampshire and the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

John Curtis

A Republican senator from Utah.

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator from North Carolina.

Jacky Rosen

A Democratic senator from Nevada.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

Xi Jinping

The President of the People's Republic of China.

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What they’re saying

“This bipartisan delegation demonstrates Congress' commitment to these alliances and partnerships is unwavering and will endure well beyond any one administration.”

— Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator

“Our alliance with Taiwan is one of the most strategically and morally significant partnerships America has in the Indo-Pacific.”

— John Curtis, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The senators' visit to Taiwan could draw a response from China, which opposes such relations and sees them as a challenge to its claim of sovereignty over the island. It remains to be seen how the trip will impact the upcoming summit between President Trump and President Xi.

The takeaway

This bipartisan congressional delegation to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea underscores the enduring importance of U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, even as the Trump administration's foreign policy actions raise concerns about potential openings for rivals like China.