TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s government expressed confidence Tuesday that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) will secure US approval for a stopover during an upcoming trip to Latin American allies.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) told Bloomberg News that recent communications with Washington indicate no obstacles to the transit, potentially easing past frictions after the Trump administration denied a similar request in August. 

That earlier plan, which included stops in New York and Dallas en route to Paraguay, Guatemala and Belize, was scrapped amid typhoon recovery efforts. There were also US-Taiwan tariff talks and concerns over US-China trade negotiations.

The anticipated stopover comes as Taiwan navigates heightened China-Japan tensions and Beijing’s persistent objections to any high-level Taiwanese visits to US soil, which it views as support for independence. No specific dates or cities have been confirmed for the latest itinerary.