TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is expected to visit the US in the coming weeks, according to a Politico report on Wednesday (Oct. 16) citing two sources familiar with her travel plans.

Tsai is currently on her first international trip after leaving office, where she has stops in the Czech Republic, Belgium, and France. She is planning to visit the US after the EU trip concludes later this week, according to the sources, whom Politico did not name because they discussed unannounced plans.

Tsai’s office had not commented on the Politico report as of press time. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s foreign ministry declined to comment, as did the White House.

The US presidential election is set for Nov. 5. Neither the Democratic or Republican Party presidential campaigns commented on Tsai’s possible trip.

Politico suggested that if Tsai’s visit falls before the election, it could be used as an opportunity for “grandstanding” by lawmakers who wish to present themselves as tough on China. If Tsai arrives after the election Donald Trump or Kamala Harris may seek a meeting with Tsai to express US support for Taiwan.

In July, Trump repeated calls for Taiwan to pay the US for its self-defense, while his running mate JD Vance has signaled he believes the US should focus defense spending on Taiwan over Ukraine.

Harris said in a recent interview her administration would maintain Washington's “one China" policy while “supporting Taiwan's ability to defend itself.” 

China’s embassy in the US said it opposed and condemned the visit. The US “greenlighting this ‘visit’ is essentially acting with Taiwan to connive at ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists’ political activities in the United States,” China embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu (劉鵬宇) told Politico in a statement.