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2022-08-31
President Tsai and Vice President Lai meet Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior of Palau 

On the morning of August 31, President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te met via video with a delegation led by Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior of the Republic of Palau and her husband. President Tsai thanked the government of Palau for demonstrating the spirit of support between democratic allies and consistently voicing support for Taiwan and our international participation on the world stage. The president noted that during this visit by Vice President Sengebau, Taiwan and Palau signed the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Memorandum of Understanding on Forensic Pathologist Cooperation, and Agreement on Collaboration in Capacity Building and Technology Transfer of Disaster Risk Management. The president expressed hope that our two countries will continue to pursue exchanges across all sectors to benefit both our peoples.

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

I warmly welcome Vice President Sengebau and her delegation to Taiwan. First, let me convey my sympathy to the delegation members who tested positive for COVID-19 and were unable to come to the Presidential Office. Please allow me to express my concern and best wishes, as well as my hope that they will make a speedy recovery.

Taiwan and Palau are both maritime nations known for our passionate people. We share the universal values of democracy and freedom. Over the past two decades, on the basis of our shared beliefs, our countries have built a firm foundation for cooperation across a range of fields. We also continue to pursue exchanges that strengthen the friendship between our peoples.

In March last year, I received President Surangel Whipps Jr. and his wife here at the Presidential Office. During the pandemic, I worked with him to promote tourism in order to advance economic recovery. On their return to Palau, President Whipps Jr. and his wife took the first flight under the Taiwan-Palau travel bubble program.

This April, the Palau government invited Taiwan to send an official delegation to participate in the Our Ocean Conference. I appointed Minister of Environmental Protection Chang Tzi-chin (張子敬) to lead the delegation. Minister Chang shared Taiwan's experience combating climate change and discussed the response to this issue with participants from other countries. During the conference, Taiwan's and Palau's coast guard vessels carried out joint security operations. This was a new milestone for coast guard cooperation between our two countries and constituted part of our joint effort to maintain regional peace, security, and stability.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government of Palau for demonstrating the spirit of mutual support between democratic allies. Palau has consistently voiced support for Taiwan at international forums and endorsed our international participation. As the world enters the post-pandemic era, Taiwan and Palau must cooperate more closely and contribute more to the international community.

During this visit by Vice President Sengebau, our two countries have signed the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Memorandum of Understanding on Forensic Pathologist Cooperation, and Agreement on Collaboration in Capacity Building and Technology Transfer of Disaster Risk Management. I look forward to continued cross-sector exchanges between Taiwan and Palau to further improve the well-being of both our peoples.

In closing, I want to thank Vice President Sengebau and her delegation once again. On this visit, the delegation's itinerary has undergone some changes due to the impact of the pandemic. So, we hope that Vice President Sengebau will be able to come back to Taiwan in the near future. Moving ahead, let us work hand in hand toward even greater accomplishments in Taiwan-Palau relations. Thank you.

Vice President Sengebau then delivered remarks, saying that it is an honor to be able to talk with President Tsai. The vice president expressed her appreciation for the kind hospitality her delegation was afforded during this visit. She said that within a short time we were able to sign three very important agreements that will support both Palau and Taiwan in the areas of climate change, disaster preparedness, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and forensic pathologist cooperation, adding that these partnerships are in line with President Whipps' declared theme for the year 2022: Ensuring our Safety and Security for the People of Palau.

Vice President Sengebau said she looks forward to returning to Taiwan in the near future to meet with President Tsai in person, and that as minister of justice, she looks forward to more bilateral mechanisms that strengthen our mutual interests in the areas of justice, maritime surveillance, disaster management, and information technology.

As vice president of the Republic of Palau and chairman of the National Emergency Committee, Vice President Sengebau said she is open to furthering our work and to speaking out in the international arena on climate change preparedness and on building community resilience. The vice president noted that during the recent Pacific Partnership 2022 hosted in Palau, our countries and other allied nations reaffirmed our commitment to ensure that technologies used in disaster response are also shared with Palau, and expressed her thanks for this support.

Vice President Sengebau also expressed her gratitude for the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Memorandum of Understanding on Forensic Pathologists Cooperation, which will improve the effective cooperation between our countries' respective law enforcement authorities on the basis of mutual respect, reciprocity, and the rule of law. 

Noting that Taiwan and Palau both boast vast ocean territory with a comparatively small terrestrial jurisdiction, Vice President Sengebau said that due to Palau's wide ocean space, it has endeavored to remain at the forefront of utilizing available technologies, especially remote data sensing tools, in order to maintain the monitoring of its maritime boundaries. The vice president also expressed her gratitude to Palau's regional partners, and especially to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its continued support in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The vice president stated that, in line with Palau's efforts to protect its people and natural resources while combating unlawful activities, it is crucial to employ forensic science in criminal investigations to ensure justice for its citizens, and that this is why the agreements signed today are so important to Palau's future. She then expressed hope that by exchanging knowledge and expertise, Palau can build a greater capacity for forensic investigation. 

Vice President Sengebau expressed her thanks for Taiwan's engagement in many sectors in Palau, including education, agriculture, health, fisheries, security, and justice, and for Taiwan's providing scholarships to young Palauans to study in Taiwan. She stated that currently, there are over 65 Palauan students studying at various universities and colleges in Taiwan, and that this big investment will also contribute to the continued stability and security of Palau and the Pacific region.

Vice President Sengebau mentioned that she admires Taiwan for the central role of women in its government and expressed hope that Taiwan and Palau's many partnerships and close ties will positively affect the balance of power in the Palauan government. She stated that in Palau, women make up less than 10 percent of the national congress, whereas in Taiwan the figure is close to 50 percent, a balance which the world should strive to emulate. The vice president added that Taiwan is seen as a leader in the women's empowerment and gender equality movements.

Vice President Sengebau then expressed appreciation for Taiwan's support for Palau and acknowledged the relationship between our two countries that has spanned almost 30 years. She also said she looks forward to further engagement with Taiwan going forward.

The vice president concluded by thanking President Tsai for her continued commitment to our partnership, affirming the Republic of Palau's commitment to this partnership, and saying that she looks forward to further developing both our nations. 

Among those attending the online meeting were Second Gentleman Jerome Senior of Palau and Chief of Staff Roxanne Siual Blesam of the office of Vice President Sengebau. 

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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. 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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. 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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. 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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.  
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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.
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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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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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