Nancy Pelosi writes in a debate article in The Washington Post that the visit is about showing that the US supports Taiwan, their "democratic partner", when they "defend themselves and their freedom".
She also writes that the trip is about other countries, which are also considered to be living with pressure from China, to feel supported by the United States.
According to Tilde Lewin, SVT's foreign correspondent, US policy when it comes to China and Taiwan has been about a balancing act.
- On the one hand, you want China to be a little afraid, but you also want to deter Taiwan, she says.