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2022-04-15
中文
President Tsai meets senior US congressional delegation led by Senator Graham

On the morning of April 15, President Tsai Ing-wen received a senior congressional delegation from the United States led by Senator Lindsey Graham. President Tsai thanked the US Congress for its staunch bipartisan support for Taiwan, and said that Taiwan looks forward to playing an active role in the new US Indo-Pacific Strategy, working with the US to safeguard regional peace and stability and to stimulate further prosperity through economic cooperation and trade in the Indo-Pacific region. 

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

I extend a very warm welcome to you all. The members of this delegation represent the Senate and House of Representatives and hail from both political parties. This demonstrates that Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support throughout the US Congress. You are all good friends of Taiwan. Thank you for your enduring support for Taiwan in the US Congress, and for proactively advancing the development of Taiwan-US relations.

I am delighted to see Senator Graham and Senator [Robert] Menendez once again. Senator Graham visited Taiwan in 1999 as a US representative, and again in 2016, not long after I took office as president.

Senator Graham, in the past two decades, you have contributed much to enhancing Taiwan-US trade relations and staunchly supported Taiwan's international participation. You are a pillar of strength for Taiwan in the US Congress.

Senator Menendez has been co-chair of the Senate Taiwan Caucus since 2009 and has introduced numerous pro-Taiwan bills, strengthening Taiwan's security and elevating Taiwan-US relations. We are fortunate to count you among Taiwan's staunchest friends on Capitol Hill. I also recall that when I made a transit stop in the US in July 2019, Senator Menendez, you took the time to travel from Washington, DC, to New York to attend the welcome reception. This was a sincere show of support for Taiwan.

Thanks to your efforts in working with us, Taiwan and the US have been able to build a strong, rock-solid relationship. April 10 marked the 43rd anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which makes your visit all the more meaningful. We believe that as Taiwan and the US continue to deepen exchanges, cooperation will yield even more fruitful results.

In the past few years, Taiwan and the US have worked together through such mechanisms as the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) and the US-Taiwan Consultations on Democratic Governance in the Indo-Pacific Region to help promote democracy, good governance, and human rights throughout the region. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has proven that democracies must bolster their alliances. Collectively, we can defend ourselves from the threats posed by authoritarian nations that seek to disrupt regional peace.

Taiwan has always been a staunch, unwavering partner to the US in the Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to playing an active role in the new Indo-Pacific Strategy and working with the US and other like-minded countries to continue to safeguard regional peace and stability. Taiwan also looks forward to working with the US to jointly promote economic cooperation and trade in the Indo-Pacific region, stimulating further prosperity.

In closing, I once again welcome you to Taiwan and hope that we can continue our partnership with the US Congress to defend democratic values.

After the conclusion of President Tsai's remarks, Senators Lindsey Graham, Robert Menendez, Richard Burr, Robert Portman, and Ben Sasse and Representative Ronny Jackson each delivered remarks, the transcripts of which follow: 

Senator Lindsey Graham:
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you for those kind words; it means a lot to all of us.

America has been politically divided. But I want you to know, when it comes to Taiwan, we're united. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Communist Chinese provocative behavior has united America unlike any time I've seen in recent memory.

Why are we here? We're here to show support for what we love. We love freedom. We love the ability to achieve your individual dreams. We love the ability to pick our own leaders. We love the rule of law, and we hate the rule of gun.

It is often asked, 'What would America do if the Communist Chinese Party became more provocative against Taiwan?' I'm convinced we would stand for what we love. We would stand with you. 

To abandon Taiwan would be to abandon democracy and freedom. It would be to abandon free trade. It would reward the worst in humanity.

As we're here today to show our support for Taiwan, all of us have our hearts broken regarding the people of Ukraine. 

The people of Taiwan have sent almost 40 million US dollars' worth of assistance to the people of Ukraine. The Communist Chinese Party's President Xi has aided and abetted the war criminal Putin.

The CIA director gave a speech in America today – Mr. [William] Burns, who we all have a lot of faith in and support of – [in which he] said that President Xi was the solid partner of Putin in Ukraine.

What a contrast between the way the people of Taiwan and the Communist Party of China deal with Ukraine.

In economic terms, Taiwan is indispensable to the digital economy for the world and the United States. We hope to strengthen the ties even more economically. We hope you buy the [Boeing] 787 (made in South Carolina).

I just want to let you know that, while we've been watching the Ukraine on television, while it has broken our hearts, the American people understand how important you are to us.

There's a backlash growing in the world to thuggery and to the bad guys. There's a backlash in this world. NATO is getting stronger, not weaker. The Arabs and Israelis are working together to deal with the threat from Iran. I believe that there's a backlash growing against the oppression of the Chinese Communist Party worldwide.

So here's my promise to you and the Taiwanese people:

We're going to start making China pay a greater price for what they're doing all over the world. The support for Putin must come with a price. The never-ending cyberattacks on your economy and your people by the Communist Chinese need to come with a price.

I want you to be encouraged that the American people are more united than ever behind the idea of freedom.

Senator Robert Menendez:
Thank you very much for welcoming us. Madam President, to you and your distinguished Foreign Minister, your national security adviser, and your distinguished staff: we're thrilled to be here with the director of our offices here, who does an extraordinary job in promoting our relationship, and with a distinguished group of colleagues. 

As a co-chair of the [Senate] Taiwan Caucus, I am proud to be back to reaffirm our rock-solid relationship with Taiwan. And I hope, Madam President, that our presence here – at a time in which the world is in conflict, where our attention could be called to many other places – that, in fact, this distinguished delegation is here in Taiwan at this time sends a powerful message to you and the Taiwanese people.

The delegation, as I know you appreciate, is not just diverse and bipartisan, but high ranking. Not only do you have the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee here, you have the senior Republican on the Budget and Appropriations Committees, you have the senior Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, you have two of the most senior members of the Intelligence Committee, and the distinguished member from the House was on the Foreign [Affairs] Committee. 

So you have a high-level delegation whose attention could be brought any place in the world – and for which many of our colleagues are right now in Europe, dealing with the challenges of Ukraine – but we understand that here in Taiwan, here in this region–this is where the future is.

The Chinese government issued to our offices and publicly a communique that they are very unhappy that we are here. But that did not dissuade us from coming. And it won't dissuade us in the future in supporting Taiwan.

Two final points: one is, we seek no conflict with China, as I believe Taiwan seeks no conflict with China.

In fact, the United States and the West invited China into the international order to be part of following international engagement and international rules. Unfortunately, it accepted the invitation on trade, but has not acted within the international order. 

And so, the question before us is not a choice between the United States and China. It's a choice between what worlds do we want to live in.

Do we want to live in a world in which we are free to choose those who govern us? Do we want to live in a world where we are free because of our intellect and capacity to create great products and services, to be able to enjoy the benefits of that? Do we want to live in a world where we are free to ultimately decide how we worship, and so much more? Or do we seek to live in a world where our thoughts, our freedom, our ability to create, our ability to govern ourselves, [and] our ability to worship as we please [are] decided by someone else?

And so that is the choice before us, and it is in that spirit that we come here to Taiwan. Let me just say that, with Taiwan producing 90 percent of the world's high-end semiconductor products, it is a country of global significance, of global consequence, of global impact. And therefore, it should be understood that the security of Taiwan has a global impact for those who would wish it ill.

That in and of itself, in addition to the respect that we have for Taiwan as a country where the rule of law, transparency, the respect of the human individual, the choices that people get to make, would be sufficient to answer the question, 'Will we support Taiwan?' The answer is yes.

Senator Richard Burr:
Madam President, thank you for this audience and this time together with you and your leadership. I'm here to commend your leadership as it relates to the COVID challenge the world has faced.

I think it's relevant when you look at the Ukraine and you look at COVID, it's made every country in the world begin to rethink their supply chain needs. My hope and my belief is that, as the United States and Europe begin to recreate the architecture of the supply chain, that we look at this area of the world as an integrated part of that supply chain.

We have a rich history of partnership, but it's a partnership we think that can grow immensely. Madam President, you probably noticed that I have an America and Ukraine pin on my collar; it's no disrespect to Taiwan. This is a constant reminder to myself and to our partners around the world that we don't leave anybody in conflict. We're there as partners to the end.

Senator Robert Portman:
Thank you, Madam President. I didn't know I would have the opportunity to give a speech today. When you put a politician next to a microphone, sometimes it gets very long.

I'll try to avoid that. First, I want to thank you for welcoming us today, for your strong leadership, the courageous stances that you've taken on many issues, including encouraging your national security in the face of the threat from China. 

And I want to thank you for hiring [Foreign] Minister [Joseph] Wu (吳釗燮), because we consider him to be an Ohio Buckeye. We have something in common – both Minister Wu and I taught at The Ohio State University. He was a distinguished PhD., I was just another politician.

We're here to support Taiwan, and to try to deepen an already-strong relationship as it relates to the economy, to our shared values, particularly the fact that you stand here, so close to China, as a democracy and a model to others.

We would like to deepen our partnership with you in the effort to increase the prosperity, the security, the economy of the Indo-Pacific area. This is why you must be a member of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that we are beginning, and why it would be very important for us to have a free trade agreement with Taiwan.

This is why we must deepen our bilateral economic relationship generally. Senator Graham talked about the 787s being made in South Carolina. He neglected to say that the engines are made in Ohio.

Thank you for your hospitality today and best of luck to you.

Senator Ben Sasse:
Thank you, Madam President, for hosting us. It is great to be with you. Kudos as well on your representative in Washington, DC. She does a great job advocating for you and telling your story.

I will be brief and just associate myself with the comments of my four colleagues thus far. But in addition, I would underscore the point about the commerce and the trade and the fraternity between our peoples. Taiwan is the eighth-largest trading partner of the United States. But many of those countries are the size of Japan and Germany. On a per capita basis, only our immediate neighbors of Canada and Mexico exceed our per capita trade with Taiwan, our third-largest trading partner at a per capita level.

Obviously, the vast majority of that is chips, and that is a testimony to a system of democratic capitalism that honors the dignity of people and fosters innovation. The Chinese Communist Party envies what you have in TSMC, but is unable to replicate it, because a system that puts people in jail for economic failure doesn't lead to innovation and creativity that comports with the dignity of people. 

In closing, I would just say to the folks across the strait paying attention to this meeting [that] the world has noticed what has been happening in Ukraine, the world has noticed the dignity of the Ukrainian people who resist tyranny, and the world and America's citizens have noticed that the Chinese Communist Party gave the green light to Vladimir Putin to bully and attack and provoke his neighbors. The world knows what side the Chinese Communist Party leadership was on. And the world increasingly stands not only with Ukraine, but with Taiwan.

Representative Ronny Jackson:
Madam President, I just want to say thank you for your overwhelming hospitality from you and your country for our delegation, and welcoming us here today. I also want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Senator Graham and Senator Menendez for including me on this important visit to your country.

As a proud member of the Taiwan Caucus in the House of Representatives, you cannot have a bigger supporter from the great state of Texas than I am for your cause.

And as a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, I understand how important this relationship is, both from a defense perspective and from an economic perspective.

Taiwan is a physically small country, but has an overwhelmingly huge economic impact globally, and that cannot be underestimated.

As I would say, it can't be overstated how important Taiwan is globally to all of us. I would say as a member of the House of Representatives [from Texas], I also want to thank Taiwan for the relationship that we've developed on an agricultural basis.

Many of your agricultural products come from the United States, and many come from my state of Texas. So I'm very interested in making sure that we support you in any way that we can in your cause, but also to continue to grow the US-Taiwan relationship, both from a defense standpoint and economically. And so to that end, I will be with you all the way.

The delegation led by Senator Graham, ranking member on the Senate Committee on the Budget, was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Sandra Oudkirk.

President Tsai poses for a photo with a senior congressional delegation from the United States.
President Tsai receives a senior congressional delegation from the United States.
US Senator Lindsey Graham delivers remarks at a meeting with President Tsai.
President Tsai receives a senior congressional delegation from the United States led by Senator Graham.
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I am also delighted to meet with Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte and Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment Joachim Andre Henry. I am sure that through this visit, you will gain an even more comprehensive understanding of Taiwan. In recent years, Taiwan and Saint Lucia have cooperated ever more closely in such areas as agriculture, education, public health, and infrastructure. This has further deepened our diplomatic alliance. Since taking office, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has focused especially on education, talent cultivation, and youth development. These goals align closely with Taiwan’s policy position. We believe that talent, particularly that of the next generation, is the foundation of national development, and it is the most important investment our nations can make together. Cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Lucia to nurture talent has already yielded fruitful results. In June, I met a PhD graduate from Saint Lucia at Central Police University’s graduation ceremony. I hope that he, along with other international alumni from Taiwanese universities, will be able to make important contributions to their nations’ development. This year, we launched the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative and its Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track. In a few days, three young Taiwanese will travel to your nation for internships in government agencies, and at the end of this month, two young Saint Lucians will come to Taiwan for internships in agriculture and tourism. In addition to education and talent exchange, last month, Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund and Saint Lucia’s Youth Economy Agency jointly launched an e-commerce platform. This is an important step forward for the digital transition. It will also help boost the entrepreneurial opportunities of Saint Lucian youth as they enter the international market. In areas such as overseas study, internships, professional training, and digital cooperation, Taiwan is willing to share even more experience with Saint Lucia as we embrace the world. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to thank Saint Lucia for long voicing support for Taiwan and its international participation at global venues. Looking ahead, let us continue to expand and diversify our collaboration to contribute even more to our nations’ prosperous development and to global progress. Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire then delivered remarks, first saying that the delegation is most grateful for the welcome they received from the people and government of Taiwan. He said that Saint Lucia considers Taiwan not just a partner, but a true and enduring friend, and that relations have always been grounded in mutual respect, trust, and an unwavering commitment to national development. He emphasized that Saint Lucia remains steadfast in its support of Taiwan’s aspiration for national independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, and will continue to raise its voice for the international community to recognize Taiwan’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to the global system and to the building of a better future for all of humanity. Taiwan’s friendship with Saint Lucia, the deputy prime minister said, is not only visible in diplomacy, but also in the everyday lives of Saint Lucia’s people. He went on to say that through small-scale community projects, Taiwan has touched the very fabric of his country’s society – improving livelihoods, enhancing opportunities, and uplifting quality of life in tangible and lasting ways. At the same time, he said, Taiwan has played a central role in Saint Lucia’s national development, most notably for its partnership in Hewanorra International Airport’s redevelopment and the St. Jude Hospital project – projects that will continue to shape the trajectory of Saint Lucia for generations to come. Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire stated that beyond infrastructure and community, Taiwan’s heart has been most evident in its people-to-people connections, and that the bonds forged through education, agriculture, and cultural exchanges are profound, exemplifying the true meaning of partnership. He added that Taiwan’s ambassador is admired across his nation, and has been present at their festivals, engaged in their programs, and has walked side by side with their people. It is through these deep and human connections, he said, that Taiwan shines as an example of friendship that is transformational. Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire brought special greetings from the prime minister of Saint Lucia, and affirmed Saint Lucia’s commitment to walk in this journey with Taiwan, hand in hand, as partners and as friends. Ours, he said, is a bond built not only on shared interests, but on shared values – values of dignity, sovereignty, and human progress. He then expressed hope that our friendship may continue to flourish, and that Taiwan’s light of resilience, innovation, and cultural richness may shine ever brighter on the global stage. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Saint Lucia Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis.  
中文
2025-08-01
President Lai delivers remarks on US reciprocal tariff policy response
On the morning of August 1, President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks at the Presidential Office on the response to the reciprocal tariff policy of the United States. President Lai explained that technical consultations with the US are finished, but as the final concluding meeting has not yet taken place, 20 percent has been set for Taiwan as an interim tariff rate. The president said that Taiwan will work towards a more favorable and reasonable rate in the subsequent negotiations, and that the US has expressed its willingness to continue talks. He added that a support plan for Taiwan’s export supply chain in response to US tariffs has been proposed to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in responding to the US tariff policy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Earlier today, the US government informed our lead negotiator, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), that an interim tariff rate for Taiwan has been set at 20 percent. Since April 2, when the US introduced its new tariff policy targeting countries worldwide, Taiwan has actively engaged in four in-person rounds of negotiation and multiple discussions over videoconference with the US government. Throughout the process, both sides have negotiated in good faith based on the shared goal of addressing the trade deficit between Taiwan and the US and creating complementary and mutually beneficial outcomes. Although we have achieved an interim reduction in the tariff rate from 32 percent to 20 percent at this point in the negotiations, 20 percent was never our goal. We hope to work towards a more favorable and reasonable rate for Taiwan in the subsequent negotiations, and the US has expressed its willingness to continue talks. We have finished technical consultations, but as the final concluding meeting has not yet taken place, a final tariff rate has not yet been reached. This is the reason for the setting of an interim tariff rate. I extend my sincere gratitude to Vice Premier Cheng and Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮) for working tirelessly over the past few months leading the negotiation team, remaining on call whether in Taiwan or the US. From here in Taiwan I, along with Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), and Secretary-General Pan Men-an (潘孟安), have also provided full support to our negotiating team in the US. Regardless of the final tariff rate, Taiwan’s industries will inevitably be impacted. I am deeply grateful to Premier Cho for proposing on April 4 a support plan for Taiwan’s export supply chain in response to US tariffs, and for holding over 20 industry consultation sessions. The special budget has also been increased from NT$88 billion to NT$93 billion. This special act has already been submitted to the Legislative Yuan and passed review. I hope that the Executive Yuan will promptly submit the budget request for legislative review so that the special budget can be implemented as soon as possible to assist SMEs in responding to this new US tariff policy.
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