DPP caucus leader to lead U.S. delegation focused on security, trade

Taipei, July 16 (CNA) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus leader Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) will lead a delegation to Washington, D.C. next week to meet with U.S. administration officials, lawmakers and think tanks, focusing on cross-strait security, national defense and bilateral trade.

Speaking to CNA on Thursday, Tsai said President and DPP Chairman Lai Ching-te (賴清德) tapped him to lead the July 22-24 visit on behalf of the party's central leadership and legislative caucus.

The five-member delegation will also include DPP Policy Committee Executive Director Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤), Deputy Caucus Whips Puma Shen (沈伯洋) and Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜), and Wang Ting-yu (王定宇), who heads the Legislative Yuan USA Caucus.

Tsai said the trip aims to thank the U.S. for its longstanding support while reaffirming Lai's position on Taiwan-U.S. relations, including Taiwan's commitment to preserving peace and the cross-strait status quo.

On defense, Tsai said the DPP will brief their U.S. counterparts on efforts to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, including securing legislative approval for a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$38.79 billion) defense buildup package.

He said lawmakers have already approved the first NT$780 billion tranche that was aimed solely at the purchase of U.S. weapons and are now reviewing legislation on procuring domestically produced drones.

The delegation will also discuss expanding Taiwan-U.S. trade and investment, promoting "non-red" supply chains, and urge the U.S. Senate to pass legislation eliminating double taxation after the bill cleared the House of Representatives.

After the Washington visit, Tsai will attend events hosted by overseas Taiwanese groups before traveling to New York, where he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the New York Mets' Taiwan Day on July 26.

Tsai, who also serves as commissioner of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), said he will meet MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred before returning to Taiwan on July 27, to discuss expanding baseball exchanges, hosting an MLB regular-season game in Taiwan, organizing exhibition games, and increasing Taiwan's participation in the World Baseball Classic.

He also plans to visit MLB's Replay Operations Center in New York and, if time permits, meet Taiwanese players based in the United States.