President Lai’s trip through the United States is tied to official visits to Taiwan’s allies in the Western Hemisphere: Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize. These nations are among the dwindling list of countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. The visit will be Lai’s first to continental U.S. territory as president, following his election in 2024.

Though routine for Taiwanese presidents, Lai’s U.S. stopovers come amid intense geopolitical sensitivity. His previous transit through Hawaii and Guam in December 2024 provoked what Taipei called the “largest Chinese naval deployment in years.” That incident occurred along the First Island Chain, a key strategic zone stretching from Japan to the Philippines.

Analysts fear that another show of military strength from Beijing could derail efforts to establish direct dialogue between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two sides have expressed tentative willingness to restart high-level engagement after years of heightened tension over Taiwan, trade, and technology policy.

U.S. Cautious Amid Beijing’s Watchful Eye

According to William Yang of the International Crisis Group, U.S. officials are unlikely to greet President Lai with high-level receptions. “At most, he would potentially meet with some Taiwan-friendly people from Congress,” Yang said, underscoring that Washington seeks to downplay the visit to maintain the current diplomatic thaw.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur last week, has said a Trump-Xi summit is likely. Trump himself stated in May that he is open to traveling to China for the meeting. Against this backdrop, even symbolic gestures such as Lai’s U.S. stopovers are being scrutinized for their impact on great-power relations.

Trade, Tech And Symbolism At The Taiwan Expo

Lai’s Dallas stop is timed with the Taiwan Expo, an event that showcases Taiwanese industry and innovation. Over 150 companies, including major drone manufacturers and Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry), will participate. Foxconn is the primary assembler of iPhones and Nvidia servers and has a strong presence in U.S. tech supply chains.

While no formal diplomatic meetings are expected, the expo serves as a public reminder of Taiwan’s critical role in the global economy, particularly in advanced electronics and defense-linked manufacturing. Lai’s presence in the U.S., even briefly, underscores the ongoing relevance of Taiwan’s soft power despite its lack of United Nations representation.