The 16-Day Itinerary and Strategic Goals
The mission, as detailed by Yahoo News, spans both the East and West coasts with a scheduled return to Taiwan on June 16. Cheng’s primary objective is to communicate a vision of “normalization of Taiwan Strait peace,” arguing that Taiwan should serve as a “peace and prosperity chain” to protect the island and align with American national interests.
The itinerary is broad, covering several key diplomatic and cultural hubs:
By targeting these specific think tanks and diplomatic channels, Cheng is attempting to carve out a distinct KMT identity in Washington—one that contrasts with the current administration by emphasizing the party’s ability to ensure that cross-strait tensions do not escalate into open conflict.
Harvard Dialogue and the Thucydides Trap
A central intellectual pillar of the trip is a scheduled appearance on June 4, where China Times reports Cheng will engage in a dialogue at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is set to meet with Professor Graham Allison, the scholar renowned for his work on the “Thucydides Trap”—the theory that a rising power tends to clash with an established power.
This specific focus is not accidental. The Thucydides Trap was a point of discussion between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Donald Trump during their previous meetings. By engaging with Allison, Cheng is positioning herself within the same theoretical framework used by global leaders to discuss the U.S.-China rivalry.
During a stop in Kaohsiung, Cheng argued that the KMT is the only party capable of building a peace bridge between the two sides. She criticized “irresponsible” independence claims and the “two-state theory,” claiming these stances push the region toward danger. To Cheng, the goal is to prove that neither side actually desires war, a message she intends to deliver directly to American policymakers.
Wu Kun-yu’s Critique of the Visit’s Scale
Despite the official framing, the trip has drawn sharp criticism from political commentator Wu Kun-yu. Speaking on the program Shocking News Line, Wu dismissed the itinerary as lacking diplomatic weight, suggesting it resembles a “tourist trip” rather than a high-level political mission.
According to Liberty Times, Wu pointed to the duration of Cheng’s stays in each city—roughly four to five days—as evidence of a sparse schedule. He argued that truly influential political figures typically move between cities every two to three days because their calendars are packed with meetings.
Wu was particularly scathing regarding Cheng’s expressed hope to meet with Donald Trump.
Cheng Li-wen cannot even see “Uncle Trump” yet she wants to see Trump; she is overestimating herself!
Wu Kun-yu, Political Commentator
Wu further minimized the significance of the visit to the AIT headquarters, comparing the organization to the CCP’s Taiwan Affairs Office and describing it as a “doorman unit.” In his view, visiting the AIT and CSIS does not elevate the visit’s status beyond that of lower-level political figures, suggesting that Cheng possesses little value in terms of either money or political leverage to attract top-tier American officials.
Delegation Gaps and Domestic Political Stakes
The composition of the 14-member delegation reveals potential internal friction or strategic omissions. While the group includes seasoned figures like KMT representative to the U.S. Qin Rixin, former representative Yuan Jiansheng, and special advisor Li Dewei, there is a notable absence of the party’s spokesperson system.
Neither Communications Committee Chair Yin Naijing nor spokesperson and New Taipei City Councilor Jiang Yizhen are accompanying the Chairperson. While Jiang cited municipal questioning duties as her reason for staying, the lack of a dedicated press and communications team on a high-profile international trip is an unusual move for a party leader.
Beyond the diplomatic goals, the trip is inextricably linked to the KMT’s domestic survival. As reported by Central News Agency, Cheng has explicitly tied the party’s international standing to upcoming local elections. During a symposium in Kaohsiung, she suggested that if the KMT can flip the southern regions—specifically Kaohsiung—in the year-end elections, the path to regaining national power in 2028 becomes clear.
The visit thus serves a dual purpose: it is an attempt to signal to Washington that the KMT is a viable, peaceful alternative to the current administration, and a domestic performance intended to energize the party’s grassroots base before a critical election cycle. Whether the U.S. sees her as a “peace bridge” or, as Wu Kun-yu suggests, a tourist, will likely determine how much political capital Cheng can bring back to Taiwan on June 16.
