A U.S. Congressional delegation is visiting Taiwan from April 16-19, 2025, led by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. The delegation also includes Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC). The purpose of the visit is to hold high-level meetings with Taiwan's senior leaders to discuss issues such as U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, and trade and investment. This visit emphasizes the commitment of the United States to its partnership with Taiwan and reinforces their mutual interest in maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
The delegation consists of three Senators, each with distinct backgrounds. Senator Pete Ricketts, from Nebraska, has a history in business, serving in roles like COO of Ameritrade and founding Drakon, LLC. As Nebraska's Governor, he focused on tax relief and economic development.
Senator Chris Coons has represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate, focusing on bipartisanship and issues like drug addiction and trade secrets protection. He serves on various committees, including Appropriations and Foreign Relations, and emphasizes bipartisan collaboration on human rights and climate change.
Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina, with a business background, was involved in local education and gun range management before entering politics. Serving in the House, he supported tax cuts and trade agreements and advocates for American strength in foreign policy and domestic issues like education and religious freedom.
The visit reflects the United States’ ongoing strategic interest and support for Taiwan as well as the Indo-Pacific region.