Taipei: A delegation from the United States House of Representatives, led by Bruce Westerman (R-AR), chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, began a three-day visit to Taiwan on Tuesday as part of a broader tour of the Indo-Pacific. The visit highlights ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral relations, regional security, and cooperation in energy and economic sectors.

According to Focus Taiwan, the delegation is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) indicated that these meetings will address key issues concerning the partnership between Taiwan and the United States.

The American Institute in Taiwan released a statement emphasizing that the visit underscores the United States' commitment to its partnership with Taiwan and reaffirms their shared dedication to maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Accompanying Westerman on this visit are House of Representatives members Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Celeste Maloy (R-UT), and Nick Begich (R-AK), all members of the House Natural Resources Committee.

MOFA described Westerman as a strong advocate of Taiwan in the U.S. Congress and expressed eagerness to continue collaboration with both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government to further deepen the Taiwan-U.S. partnership. This delegation is among several foreign groups visiting Taiwan recently, including a British Labour Party delegation led by Member of Parliament Navendu Mishra.

During a dinner with the British delegation on Monday, Taiwan's top diplomat Lin expressed hopes for progress under the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) in areas such as investment, digital trade, energy, and net-zero emissions. The ETP, signed in November 2023, represents Taiwan's first trade framework agreement with a European country and aims to fortify trade ties between Taiwan and the U.K.