Taipei [Taiwan]: Taiwan has finalized the members of its delegation to attend the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump on January 20. The delegation will be led by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, according to Taiwan News.
The group includes lawmakers from various parties: DPP members Wang Ting-yu and Chen Kuan-ting, KMT members Lee Yen-hsiu and Ke Ruchun, and TPP legislator Chen Gau-tzu. The Legislative Yuan’s International Affairs Office had previously requested nominations from the DPP and KMT for two members each, and the TPP was asked to choose one.
The Presidential Office selected Han to lead the delegation last week, and the group will be in the U.S. from January 18 to 24. This visit comes despite President Trump’s earlier criticisms of Taiwan, including accusations that the country has not paid enough for U.S. “protection” and has contributed to the loss of America’s chip industry.
Earlier this year, Taiwan sent a delegation, led by Wang, to observe the U.S. Democratic National Convention in Chicago, aiming to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. relations. Additionally, another delegation was sent to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July.
Trump, who won re-election with 312 electoral votes, will be sworn in for his second term on January 20. His 2024 presidential campaign focused on issues such as immigration, inflation, and a return to his “America First” foreign policy. He also pledged to declare a national emergency to carry out mass deportations of migrants in the U.S. without legal permission.
On the global stage, Trump has promised to end Russia’s war against Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office and to bring an end to conflicts in West Asia. He also plans to impose increased tariffs on foreign goods entering the U.S.
Trump’s re-election makes him the second U.S. president in history to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th U.S. president.
