Senior members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee arrived in Taiwan Friday to "reemphasize the partnership and the security, friendship agreement" between the countries, at a time when both Taiwan and China seek to strike a trade deal with the United States.

Republican Senator Roger Wicker, a vocal supporter of Taiwan in the US Congress, is leading a congressional delegation to the region with stops in Hawaii, Guam, Palau and the Philippines.

Why is the Congressional delegation in Taiwan?

"We stand here to reemphasize the partnership and the security, friendship agreement that the United States has had with Taiwan for some decades," Wicker told reporters ahead of meetings with President Lai Ching-te and other government officials.

The Republican senator vowed that the National Defense Authorization Act, set to be considered in the US Senate next week, would "add to the provisions again" when it came to Taiwan. But he stopped short of providing details.

In a meeting with President Lai Ching-te, Wicker said the team was here to get a better idea of the island's needs.

Both China and Taiwan are aiming to strike trade deals with the US to offset US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Lai's government has already pledged an increase in defense spending, something Washington has been asking of several countries in trade negotiations. 

Concern for US-Taiwan ties under Trump

Wicker told President Lai that they brought a message of long-term friendship. He reiterated that Taiwan has the right to preserve self-determination. 

The US does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country but has long been the island's largest arms supplier and security partner. Their forces often hold military drills, in a show of power to counter China.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its part of its own territory, has objected to Washington and Taipei's growing relations, often condemning visits and blaming the western power for endangering peace on its territory.

On Friday, The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it firmly opposes any official exchanges between the US and Taiwan.

The trip seems geared to manage growing concern in Taipei that Washington, under the new Trump administration, lacks willingness to defend the island if it were to be invaded.

The visit falls just days ahead of Beijing's mass military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Among those in attendance will be Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 

Edited by: Rana Taha