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2022-08-22
中文
President Tsai meets Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb

On the morning of August 22, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. In remarks, President Tsai emphasized that Taiwan is willing and able to strengthen cooperation with democratic partners in building sustainable semiconductor supply chains. The president said that at this moment, democratic allies must stand together and comprehensively strengthen cooperation, and expressed hope that Taiwan and the United States can work on the foundation of our existing collaboration to support each other and forge closer ties.

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

I want to welcome you all to the Presidential Office. Governor Holcomb is leading a delegation to Taiwan for the first time, and he is also the first US governor to visit Taiwan since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This delegation carries profound significance for the deepening of Taiwan-US relations.

Taiwan and the United States are partners who both love democracy and freedom, and are key security and economic allies in the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan-US relations have seen much progress in recent years. I have received many prominent US political figures from both sides of the aisle, as well as friends from think tanks and academic circles. Recently, this has included delegations led by House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, and now includes our dear friends from Indiana. These visits have had a profound impression on us. The broad spectrum of staunch US support for Taiwan is enabling us to further deepen Taiwan-US cooperation across a range of fields.

On August 9, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, which seeks to promote semiconductor research, development, and production and to bolster supply chain security. With the passage of the act, Indiana stands to become a center for emerging technology within the US semiconductor industry. And Purdue University, an important academic institution in Indiana, has just established the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy and a Semiconductor Degrees Program.

These developments align perfectly with those in Taiwan. Our semiconductor industry plays a key role in global supply chains. We have worked with universities to establish four major semiconductor academies, accelerating the development of the next generation of tech talent. From your itinerary, I see that you are visiting a number of high-tech business leaders, as well as witnessing the signing of MOUs on academic exchange and cooperation between Purdue University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) as well as National Cheng Kung University (NCKU).

Economic security is an important pillar of national and regional security. Taiwan is willing and able to strengthen cooperation with democratic partners in building sustainable semiconductor supply chains. Together, we can safeguard our common values and create even greater prosperity.

Presently, we are facing the continued expansion of global authoritarianism. In the midst of this, Taiwan has been confronted by military threats from China in and around the Taiwan Strait. At this moment, democratic allies must stand together and comprehensively strengthen cooperation.

Indiana and Taiwan enjoy a longstanding bond. Indiana was Taiwan's first US sister state, and our peoples enjoy close exchanges. Every one of today's distinguished guests is a dear friend of Taiwan. Building on our existing foundation of collaboration, I look forward to our two sides supporting each other and advancing hand in hand to forge closer ties and deepen cooperation. Thank you.

Governor Holcomb then delivered remarks, a transcript of which follows:

Madam President, it is indeed a high honor to be here with our longtime friends from Taiwan.

Thank you, President Tsai, for your and your team's warm hospitality, literally from the first step off the plane. And we expect this to continue on our days ahead.

Thank you for welcoming Secretary Chambers and Dean Lundstrom from Purdue University, as you mentioned, and really our entire delegation to beautiful Taipei. We've all been looking very much forward to this very day.

I bring you greetings from 6.8 million of my neighbors – we call ourselves Hoosiers – and from, as you mentioned, your sister city of Indianapolis, our capital city and your sister city. [This sister-city] relationship was the first for both of us, going back 44 years ago. 

We are so grateful for our enduring friendship and partnerships that have been built over the years, and the strong bond that you talked about that grows even stronger by the day, as strong as the Indiana limestone that we're famous for producing.

And, by the way – I'm glad you mentioned it – it does feel good being the first to arrive in Taiwan since before the pandemic. You never get a second opportunity to be first, so I'm glad we got here swiftly.

I should note [that] one of my predecessors, now the president of Purdue University, was in Taiwan when he was governor back in 2005. And subsequently, from that point, we've had other leaders from Indiana visit, like [the] executive director of our Department of Agriculture, who visited regarding our agriculture ties and trade, something very near and dear to both of us.

You also mentioned something very important to Hoosiers, and that is, because we share so many common values and interests and goals, there are more opportunities ahead of us, [more] than I think there ever have been before, for us to continue to strengthen and cultivate and nurture this relationship as our economies grow and grow together. We will continue to seek to build strategic partnerships with you. 

This very type of economic engagement is very important to both of us. For example, Indiana is a leader in terms of foreign direct investment in America. And we're so pleased and honored to have 10 Taiwanese companies as part of that investment portfolio. Most notably, MediaTek joined our portfolio, and we look so forward to working with them in designing the future.

In fact, we're boldly embracing that future and determining what our destinies will be by creating and commercializing the products and solutions that are called for with the cutting-edge technology that will get us there.

Please know [that] Indiana's commitment to building a resilient economy of the future starts with strengthening these very bonds between both of us and our shared values. Because it's a timeless truth that who you [partner] with matters.

And with partners like Taiwan, I'm confident that together, we will continue to innovate our way into the future, present global solutions, and conduct [the] groundbreaking research necessary to propel us all forward.

Madam President, if you could see my expression, I am smiling ear to ear right now, excited about signing these memorandums – plural – of understanding and what they will lead to, how they will usher in and muster our collective energy and action and turn that into motion and activity.

The Indiana-Taiwan agreement is focused on building upon those economic ties and critical industries, as you mentioned, like semiconductors, [agricultural and biological] science, advanced manufacturing, and technology. And the Purdue University memorandums of understanding that they will sign [with NYCU and NCKU] will equally propel us forward on that research front in those areas and many more.

It's critically important to have a world class university like Purdue University involved [in] this endeavor, because we both know that a key component of any successful society is talent and cultivating that talent, both for today and for the future. That leads to upward mobility options and possibilities, and enables individuals to determine their own destiny.

And lastly, the world knows that supply chain management and resiliency itself – semiconductor design and production, and advanced high-tech research and development – ultimately affects us all every day in every way.

Thank you again. It is an honor to be with you. And thank you for hosting us and the, again, extraordinarily warm welcome that we have already received. Your continued friendship to Indiana is priceless to us. And the people of Indiana will always reciprocate. We both seek to deepen and enhance our already excellent cooperation that we've established over the years. Madam President, I look forward to our shared future and the golden age of innovation and investment that lies ahead for both of us.

Among the members of the delegation were Indiana State Secretary of Commerce Bradley Chambers, who also serves as CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and Prof. Mark Lundstrom, interim dean of the College of Engineering at Purdue University.

President Tsai receives a gift from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
President Tsai delivers remarks at a meeting with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
Indiana Governor Holcomb delivers remarks at a meeting with President Tsai.
President Tsai meets with a delegation led by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
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2025-08-07
President Lai meets cross-party Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada delegation
On the morning of August 7, President Lai Ching-te met with a cross-party delegation from the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine. In remarks, President Lai stated that this marks the first visit from a cross-party delegation from the Verkhovna Rada in 20 years, a new milestone symbolizing the deepening of the Taiwan-Ukraine friendship and underscoring our common commitment to the pursuit of freedom and peace. The president expressed hope for increased exchanges between our governments, parliaments, industries, and peoples across society, and that we can strengthen cooperation in such domains as the economy, trade, investment, advanced technology, and talent development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome People’s Deputy Mykola Kniazhytskyi on his third trip to Taiwan. This is also the first visit from a cross-party delegation from the Verkhovna Rada in 20 years. Your truly meaningful visit symbolizes the deepening of the Taiwan-Ukraine friendship and underscores our common commitment to the pursuit of freedom and peace.  Although Taiwan and Ukraine are geographically distant, we jointly pursue the values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. We also both stand on the frontlines against the expansion of authoritarian influence. Taiwan therefore stands firmly with the people of Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion began, Taiwan has actively used government funds and private-sector donations to provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid. This has included reconstruction projects for water, power, medical, and educational facilities. Taiwan has also worked with friendly countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania to deliver various kinds of assistance to Ukraine. We want to show the world that when like-minded democracies join forces, we can overcome any number of threats and challenges. Currently, there is limited official engagement between Taiwan and Ukraine. Yet, I look forward to increased exchanges between our governments, parliaments, industries, and peoples across society. I also hope that we can strengthen cooperation in such domains as the economy, trade, investment, advanced technology, and talent development. I hope for a swift end to this irrational and utterly illegitimate war so that the people of Ukraine can be free of its harms as soon as possible. Moving forward, Taiwan is more than willing to work with the international community to help Ukraine rebuild and grow. I thank you all once again for this visit, which marks a new milestone for the Taiwan-Ukraine relationship. Deputy Kniazhytskyi then delivered remarks, stating that this meeting marks a historic moment and is a convincing testimony to the importance Taiwan attaches to the development of the relationship between our countries, adding that he feels the significance of today’s event for the prospect of relations between Taiwan and Ukraine. He said that he sees a clear similarity in the goals pursued by Taiwan and Ukraine, including the protection of democracy against authoritarianism and the preservation of national identity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Deputy Kniazhytskyi went on to say that Ukraine is fighting a difficult war against Russia to liberate its illegally occupied territories. However, he said, this is also a war for the truth of democratic values over attempts of subjugation by Russia’s despotism. The deputy pointed out that Taiwan is also resisting the expansion of authoritarian China and its attempts to suppress the aspiration of Taiwanese people to live in a free country where human rights and freedoms are respected. He then stated that any encroachment of Taiwan’s freedom is unacceptable. Deputy Kniazhytskyi said that the presence of the Ukrainian delegation is evidence of the similarity of our aspiration and views of the future of the democratic world, and that they understand that the values and interests of the democratic world need to be resolutely defended in many areas – political, diplomatic, and military. The deputy concluded his remarks by stating that he is convinced that exchanges between Taiwan and Ukraine have good, productive prospects. The delegation also included Ukrainian People’s Deputies Ivan Krulko, Valeriy Lunchenko, Solomiia Bobrovska, Mykhailo Bondar, Andrii Lopushanskyi, and Sviatoslav Yurash.
中文
2025-08-05
President Lai meets delegation led by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
On the morning of August 5, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson. In remarks, President Lai thanked former Prime Minister Johnson and the UK government for the attention and support they have shown Taiwan and for underlining the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at numerous venues. Noting that Taiwan and the UK share the universal values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, the president said that Taiwan looks forward to deepening cooperation with the UK for mutually beneficial development and to contributing even more to the international community. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to start by extending a very warm welcome to former Prime Minister Johnson, who is visiting Taiwan for the first time to deliver a keynote speech at the Ketagalan Forum. Mr. Johnson is the third former UK prime minister to visit Taiwan, following Margaret Thatcher and Liz Truss. I am confident that his visit will advance exchanges between Taiwan and the UK. Let me take this opportunity to thank former Prime Minister Johnson and the UK government. When the UK government under then-Prime Minister Johnson’s leadership held the G7 presidency in 2021, the G7 leaders’ communiqué for the first time mentioned the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. At many bilateral and multilateral events since then, the UK has consistently underlined its firm position on maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, further consolidating international support for Taiwan. In a concrete step to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait, the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey made a passage through the strait in June. In the same month, the UK government released its National Security Strategy 2025, which notes that the Taiwan Strait is central to global trade and supply chains. It adds that the UK does not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and will continue to strengthen ties with Taiwan in a wide range of areas, underpinned by shared democratic values. These efforts of the UK government, beginning with Mr. Johnson as prime minister, have contributed substantially to Indo-Pacific security.  In recent years, Taiwan-UK economic and trade relations have continued to reach new milestones. In 2023, we signed the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) arrangement. This was the first institutionalized economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country. This June, we signed three pillar arrangements under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero emissions, demonstrating the determination of both sides to strengthen our economic and trade cooperation. Taiwan and the UK share the universal values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. Taiwan sincerely looks forward to deepening cooperation with the UK for mutually beneficial development and to contributing even more to the international community. Former Prime Minister Johnson then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for the invitation. He noted that this is an absolutely crucial time for the whole world and a time of great uncertainty. Echoing President Lai’s earlier remarks, he said that Taiwan is at the very forefront in the struggle between freedom and democracy on one side and autocracy on the other side. Former Prime Minister Johnson said that he is in Taiwan because he has always wanted to come here and because he is fascinated by the incredible achievements of this country, not least in microprocessors and cuisine. He then congratulated President Lai on his agenda for Taiwan, saying that he fully supports the Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the increase in defense spending to three percent of GDP. Former Prime Minister Johnson stated his belief that there is absolutely no case for the current Chinese bullying of Taiwan, emphasizing that Taiwan is a free and peaceful society that does not deserve to be intimidated in this way. He added that there is no point in such actions, and that he hopes it stops as soon as possible. He noted that by talking to President Lai and other Taiwanese people over the last couple of days, it is absolutely clear to him that those who try to bully or take over Taiwan will never succeed, because Taiwan is an amazing democracy whose people are lovers of their own freedom. Former Prime Minister Johnson said that in very difficult and tense times, this is the moment for all Western countries to build economic and political relations with Taiwan and not to tiptoe away from Taiwan under pressure from any other country. He also emphasized that they in the UK will stand with Taiwan, not just because we share common strategic perspectives or have a growing economic partnership, but most important of all, because we share values, as President Lai mentioned previously. He highlighted that those values of democracy, human rights, and freedom are not only essential to Taiwan’s astounding success but are also right in themselves, concluding that we should defend them for their own sake.
中文
2025-08-05
President Lai attends opening of Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue  
On the morning of August 5, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, making it a keystone of Indo-Pacific peace and stability. The president noted that the government has been moving forward with the Four Pillars of Peace action plan, remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and will deepen partnerships with other democratic nations to advance global prosperity and development. He stated that Taiwan is also taking the initiative to enhance its whole-of-society defense and resilience, expanding civil participation, and through military-civilian cooperation, is boosting its self-defense capabilities. President Lai emphasized that a nation’s strength and its democratic footing are grounded firmly in its economy, and that Taiwan will continue to enhance its economic resilience and steadily advance its economic security. He expressed confidence that if democracies can join hands in creating more robust, more resilient global democratic supply chains, we can spur even more economic prosperity and further consolidate our democracy, as well as protect our hard-earned free and democratic way of life. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: This year marks the ninth year of the Ketagalan Forum. Over the years, this key platform has brought together government leaders, experts, and scholars from around the world for dialogue on all aspects of Indo-Pacific security. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I sincerely welcome you all and thank you for joining us. This year’s forum centers on three major themes: Indo-Pacific regional security, whole-of-society defense strategies in democratic countries, and the strategic integration of economic, technological, and industrial diplomacy. These themes are all closely linked with Taiwan’s national development. I’m confident that this year’s forum will enable Taiwan and democratic partners from around the world to achieve even greater consensus on ways we can work together for a more secure Indo-Pacific and more prosperous world. Over the past year, the international landscape has become more and more volatile. The Russia-Ukraine War is still ongoing, and conflict in the Middle East has only intensified. Meanwhile, China’s military activities in the Taiwan Strait and East and South China Seas pose unprecedented challenges to the rules-based international order. As authoritarianism continues to expand, democratic nations must join even closer in solidarity to defend our values. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, making us a keystone of Indo-Pacific peace and stability. In view of this, we have been moving forward with the Four Pillars of Peace action plan since I took office. This includes boosting our national defense, building economic security, demonstrating stable and principled cross-strait leadership, and promoting values-based diplomacy. Our government remains committed to maintaining the status quo and ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, we will deepen partnerships with other democratic nations to advance global prosperity and development. Taiwan is also taking the initiative to enhance our whole-of-society defense and resilience. This July, we introduced National Solidarity Month. This combines our yearly Han Kuang military exercises with new Urban Resilience drills. The initiative expanded civil participation and, through military-civilian cooperation, helped verify the readiness of government agencies and people throughout the nation to address extreme situations. Alongside these efforts, we are continuing to reform and invest even more resources in our national defense. Next year’s defense budget will reach a target of over 3 percent of GDP to boost Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Taiwan will also continue to enhance its economic resilience and steadily advance its economic security. While we further deepen our economic and trade cooperation with other countries, we will keep upgrading our Five Trusted Industry Sectors of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, military, security and surveillance, and next-gen communications. A nation’s strength and its democratic footing are grounded firmly in its economy. I’m confident that if democracies can join hands in creating more robust, more resilient global democratic supply chains, we can spur even more economic prosperity and further consolidate our democracy. To all dear friends of Taiwan: In this turbulent global landscape, Taiwan stands on the frontline of authoritarian threat, which is also the forefront of the global defense of democracy. Thus, we know how precious peace is; and we recognize that peace in the Taiwan Strait is not just a regional issue, but a shared responsibility for economic stability and security around the world. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will stand with the world’s democracies to face challenges, uphold the rules-based international order, defend peace through strength, and protect our hard-earned free and democratic way of life.  Once again, thank you for participating in this dialogue, and for standing with Taiwan. I wish you all lively and productive discussions today, and a great stay in Taiwan. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former French National Assembly President François de Rugy. Additionally, 12 high-ranking officials, scholars, and experts from 10 countries, including the United States and Japan, as well as countries in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, were invited to engage in in-depth discussions with officials, scholars, and experts from Taiwan.  
中文
2025-08-01
President Lai meets delegation from US Foundation for Defense of Democracies
On the afternoon of August 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the United States-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). In remarks, President Lai stated that as authoritarianism expands, only by working closely together can the global democratic community protect our shared values of freedom and democracy and way of life. The president said that deepening the strategic economic and trade partnerships between Taiwan and the US will not only help strengthen our cooperation with other like-minded partners in key and innovative technologies, but also ensure supply chain security, which is consistent with the national security interests of Taiwan, the US, and all of our democratic partners. President Lai also expressed hope that further Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation will enable us to continue to deepen and consolidate democracy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I extend a warm welcome to this delegation from the FDD. It is a great pleasure to meet with so many dear friends of Taiwan again. The FDD holds a key position among think tanks based in Washington, DC. In addition to conducting research on issues relating to US national security, it also frequently issues policy recommendations and specialist reports that help actively realize its goal of safeguarding democratic values from authoritarian threats. I would like to express my appreciation to the FDD for its long-term focus on Taiwan and for continuing to increase the attention paid to Taiwan’s defense and social resilience. I also hope that the experts and scholars in this delegation can provide Taiwan with optimal insights into these issues. In recent years, China has continued to ramp up military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait and East and South China Seas. The expansion of authoritarianism is not only altering the global security framework, but also challenging the rules-based international order in an unprecedented way. Only by working closely together and adopting appropriate countermeasures can the global democratic community protect our shared values of freedom and democracy and our way of life that values human rights. In addition to demonstrating the determination to defend itself, Taiwan will also fulfill its important responsibilities as a member of the international community. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its national defense, build economic security, demonstrate stable and principled cross-strait leadership, and promote values-based diplomacy to enhance cooperation with democracies around the world. Together, we can safeguard regional peace and stability and advance global prosperity and development. The world has seen the crucial role that Taiwan plays in technological supply chains. In addition to the semiconductor industry, Taiwan can also strengthen cooperation with the US in other key technological fields, including national defense technologies and AI. Deepening the strategic economic and trade partnerships between Taiwan and the US will not only help strengthen our cooperation with other like-minded partners in key and innovative technologies, but also ensure supply chain security. This is consistent with the national security interests of Taiwan, the US, and all of our democratic partners. Taiwan greatly cherishes our deep friendships with all, and we look forward to further Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation enabling us to continue to deepen and consolidate democracy. Former US Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger then delivered remarks, indicating that on this visit, the delegation is working together with the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology and others across Taiwan’s society, as well as with guests from Japan, Australia, and Europe, who joined them this week to conduct tabletop exercises. He added that they carried out work to test their assumptions about various scenarios that could occur if there are attempts made to intimidate or coerce Taiwan and other free societies. Mr. Pottinger said that he and his colleagues were impressed with the Taiwan team that participated in the tabletop exercises for their creativity and resourcefulness, which he said gives him great confidence that Taiwan and its friends will be able to deter or respond to any intimidation or crisis. Mr. Pottinger then stated in Mandarin that free nations are innovative, resource-efficient, and resilient under the threat of authoritarian states, and that free nations also have trustworthy friends. He concluded his remarks by thanking President Lai for meeting with the delegation, saying that they look forward to their discussion.
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.
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.
中文