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2017-03-22
President Tsai's remarks at 2017 AmCham Hsie Nian Fan celebration

On the evening of March 22, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 2017 AmCham Hsie Nian Fan celebration. In her remarks, she affirmed that Taiwan and the US have enjoyed a deep friendship and hoped that the two countries will build an "upgraded" strategic partnership in regional security and greater exchanges in trade and economy.

A transcript of the president's remarks is as follows:

Good evening everyone! First of all I'd like to thank AmCham's Albert Chang for hosting this fine event. I understand it's a full house, it's much more crowded than I thought – and this is testament to AmCham's enduring leadership in Taiwan. 

I'm pleased that my good friend AIT Director Kin Moy is here as well. And with me today we have Secretary-General of our National Security Council Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), and quite a number of our ministers. Initially I wanted to name them one by one, but since there are so many here, why don't you stand up and say hello to the people here (applause). I understand that we also have a lot of officials from the Taiwan government here, I don't know how many of you, but please also stand up (applause).

Since this is the first time I'm joining this event as president, I would like to begin with a few words of appreciation for AmCham Taipei.

For 66 years, this chamber has served as a vital bridge between Taiwan, the United States, and the business communities of our two countries. Your work has been instrumental in bringing us closer together.

For example, every year AmCham leads a "Doorknock" delegation to Washington, DC to meet with US officials, members of Congress, and the business community. 

It's a great opportunity to share Taiwan's success story with the US, and to discuss future cooperation in trade and investment. Without these efforts, the Taiwan-US partnership would not be in the robust health it is in today.

Taiwan and the US enjoy a deep friendship that has stood the test of time. This is not only because we share many of the same values, but we have also forged, through decades of cooperation, a high level of mutual trust as partners.

From the US military defending Taiwan in the 1950s, to the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act in the 1970s, the US has always been the primary force supporting Taiwan and stability in the Taiwan Strait. America's security commitment and arms sales to Taiwan are a key factor in maintaining the cross-strait status quo.

On Taiwan's part, since we embraced freedom and democracy, and became economically prosperous, Taiwan has actively taken on responsibilities and played a constructive role in the region. When it comes to security and development in the Asia-Pacific, there is no doubt that Taiwan and the US share joint responsibilities and common interests.

The US has also been Taiwan's most important economic partner. It was Taiwan's largest trading partner and export market in the 1980s, accounting for nearly half of our exports. Today, the US is still Taiwan's 2nd largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching US$85 billion. If we include indirect trade through third-parties, the US is still the most important export market for Taiwan.

Taiwan's economy has long been benefitting from exports to the US; but to be clear, our bilateral trade is mutually beneficial. 

Through bilateral trade and investment, Taiwan has created more than 350,000 job opportunities in the US. We are the 15th largest external job creator for the US and the 6th largest in Asia.

But even more importantly: within the global supply chain and especially the ICT sector, an irreplaceable, strategic industrial alliance has emerged between American and Taiwanese firms and their subsidiaries in third countries. 

This alliance has brought an array of American brands and products to people all over the world, and tremendous profits to the US. It's no exaggeration to say that such cooperation is a powerful force behind "Buy America".

Looking back on our decades-long friendship and partnership, I am confident to say that Taiwan is a crucial and irreplaceable security and economic partner for the US.

A little more than 2 months ago, a new American administration took office. With this, we have entered a new stage of Taiwan-US relations. 

We hope to build an "upgraded" strategic relationship between our two countries. This includes a more strategic partnership in regional security, more comprehensive cooperation, and greater mutual trust. I am confident that we can achieve these objectives.

My confidence is based on the following:

First, Taiwan is ready and prepared to play a more proactive role in ensuring regional peace and collective security. 

In a few hours' time, our Representative to the US will participate in a ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition working to support efforts in Iraq and Syria. There, he will announce a new commitment of resources to support international mine-removal efforts. This follows Taiwan's donation of a mobile hospital this January to build on the stabilization work already taking place in Iraq.

We also want to ensure that Taiwan makes greater investment into our own defense – and that benefits peace and stability in the region.

We will seek greater cooperation with American defense firms as we build up our indigenous industry, in addition to the continuing purchase of arms necessary for Taiwan's defense. 

Yesterday morning, I unveiled our Indigenous Defense Submarine program in Kaohsiung. It's a large and ambitious undertaking – but one that shows our determination in moving ahead on this agenda.

Two of the other areas are aerospace and cybersecurity. Not only will all of this create further investment opportunities, it will also potentially lead to thousands of new jobs here in Taiwan and in the US as well.

Second, faced with the new US administration's "America First" policy, Taiwan is prepared to make adjustments.

While we believe in free trade, we also support the idea of "fair trade".

As many of you know, I was a trade negotiator for a long time. I firmly believe that through communication and negotiation, trade conflicts and other differences can always be resolved. 

With this in mind, Taiwan and the US should engage in bilateral discussions and trade negotiations as a matter of priority. Both sides should have frank and substantive discussions and work together towards a new bilateral trade agreement. Preferably, of course, FTA type.

In addition, we plan to send the largest-ever delegation to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit this June. Members of the delegation include some of Taiwan's largest companies. They will actively seek out investment opportunities, particularly in manufacturing and other job creating industries.

In September, we will also organize an agricultural procurement delegation – cementing our status as one of the largest importers of US agricultural products.

Third, the economic reforms that we are undertaking also create greater space for strategic economic cooperation between Taiwan and the US. 

To reduce our export dependence and also to accelerate industrial transformation, my administration has been promoting a "5+2" innovation program. 

Later this week, the Executive Yuan will also announce a forward-looking infrastructure program, which includes government funding as well as large-scale investment by public and private enterprises. We are confident that this program will expand both domestic demand and Taiwan's future competitiveness.

This program offers great opportunities for Taiwanese and American firms to cooperate, and also offers immense potential for the purchase of American goods. 

In addition to this, our Ministry of Economic Affairs has identified six sectors as the basis for further Taiwan-US cooperation. They are steel, semiconductors, petrochemicals, textiles, automobile components, and smart machinery. Our Asia Silicon Valley program in particular is directed at Silicon Valley and other innovation centers in the U.S. for further cooperation.

We are also actively promoting the New Southbound Policy to strengthen our linkages with Southeast and South Asian countries, and Australia and New Zealand in the areas of economics and trade, as well as science, technology and culture. 

The focus is on sharing resources, talents, and markets in order to create greater prosperity for all. Taiwan and the US enjoy a high degree of complementarity when it comes to exploring emerging markets, and especially markets in the Asia-Pacific region. 

If we could deepen our strategic alliance in this area, I believe this will boost American exports as well as growth in both of our economies.

Ladies and gentlemen, in a year where both Taiwan and the US are focusing on the economy, I hope that our concerted efforts will give rise to stronger and more sustained economic growth.

As key players in the Taiwan-US relationship, my administration looks forward to working with both AmCham and its members in a variety of policy areas, to multiply both opportunities and benefits.

Finally, I wish to thank you again for your invitation. I also want to wish AmCham another successful year– whatever you are doing, don't stop. And to AmCham members: if you want to invest more in Taiwan, now is the right time. My administration is more than ready and willing to work with you.

Thank you and have a great evening!

Let me then propose a toast.

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2025-05-05
President Lai meets Japanese Diet Member and former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi
On the afternoon of May 5, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from Japan led by House of Representatives Member and former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi. President Lai thanked the government of Japan for continuously speaking up for Taiwan at international venues and reiterating the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that to address China’s gray-zone aggression against neighboring countries, Taiwan and Japan, both located in the first island chain, should strengthen cooperation and respond together. He said he looks forward to bilateral industrial cooperation in fields including semiconductors, hydrogen energy, AI, and drones, jointly strengthening the resilience of non-red supply chains, and promoting mutual prosperity and development.    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to welcome all the members of the Japanese Diet who are using their valuable Golden Week vacation to visit Taiwan, especially House of Representatives Member Nishimura Yasutoshi, whom former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe deeply trusted and relied on, and who for many years held important cabinet positions. This is his first visit after a hiatus of 17 years, so I am sure he will sense Taiwan’s progress and development. House of Representatives Member Tanaka Kazunori has long promoted local exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, and I hope that our visitors will all gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan through this visit.  Yesterday, several of our distinguished guests made a special trip to Kaohsiung to pay their respects at the statue of former Prime Minister Abe, a visionary politician with a broad, international perspective. The former prime minister pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and once said that “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem,” demonstrating strong support for Taiwan and making a deep and lasting impression on the hearts of Taiwanese. Over the past few years, China has continuously conducted military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, East and South China Seas, and carried out acts of gray-zone aggression against neighboring countries, severely undermining regional peace and stability. Taiwan and Japan, both located in the first island chain, should strengthen cooperation and respond together. Especially since Taiwan and Japan are democratic partners who share values such as freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, if we can strengthen cooperation in areas such as maritime security, social resilience, and addressing gray-zone aggression, I am confident we can demonstrate the strength of deterrence, ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and safeguard our cherished democratic institutions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Japanese government for continuously speaking up for Taiwan at international venues, including this year’s US-Japan leaders’ summit, the G7 foreign ministers’ joint statement, and the Japan-NATO bilateral meeting, reiterating the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expressing opposition to unilaterally changing the status quo by force or coercion. In the face of global economic and trade changes, economic security is becoming increasingly important, and Taiwan looks forward to further deepening economic cooperation with Japan. In addition to actively seeking to participate in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Taiwan hopes to sign an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan as soon as possible. This will expand our cooperation in industries such as semiconductors, hydrogen energy, AI, and drones, establish a closer economic partnership, jointly strengthen the resilience of non-red supply chains, and promote mutual prosperity and development. Once again, I welcome all of our guests. I am deeply grateful for your taking concrete action to deepen Taiwan-Japan relations and show support for Taiwan. I wish you a successful and rewarding visit.  Representative Nishimura then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with the visiting delegation. He also expressed admiration for the performance of President Lai’s government, which has allowed Taiwan to develop smoothly amidst the current complex international situation. Representative Nishimura mentioned that when former Prime Minister Abe unfortunately passed away in 2020, President Lai, who was vice president at the time, personally visited the former prime minister’s residence to offer his condolences. The representative said that including that meeting, today is the second time he and President Lai have met. This delegation’s visit to Taiwan, he said, carries on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. He said that Taiwan and Japan are countries that share universal values and have close ties in terms of economic cooperation and mutual visits. Notably, he highlighted, in 2024, business travelers from Taiwan made over six million visits to Japan, and based on population, Taiwan has the highest percentage of visitors to Japan. He also expressed hope that more Japanese people will visit Taiwan for tourism.   Representative Nishimura stated that the delegation visited Kaohsiung yesterday to pay their respects at the statue of former Prime Minister Abe. Then, he said, they traveled to Tainan to sample a wide variety of fruits and local delicacies, during which time they also discussed the Wushantou Reservoir, built by Japanese engineer Hatta Yoichi. Since May 8 is the anniversary of Mr. Hatta’s birth, Representative Nishimura said he hopes to use this opportunity to continue Mr. Hatta’s concern and love for Taiwan, and further deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. Representative Nishimura said that when he served as Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, he welcomed Taiwan’s application to join the CPTPP on behalf of the Japanese government. He also said that his government has also provided substantial assistance for the establishment of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) fab in Kumamoto, Japan. He said he believes that mutual cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in the semiconductor sector can further promote semiconductor industry development, and build a more resilient supply chain system. Representative Nishimura pointed out that former Prime Minister Abe once said, “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” Currently, many European countries are also very concerned about peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, because it is crucial to peace and stability in the entire international community. It can therefore be said that “if Taiwan has a problem, the world has a problem.” He said he believes that in order to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, like-minded countries and allied nations must all cooperate closely and definitively proclaim that message. He then said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai on issues such as strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations and changes in the international situation. The delegation also included Chairman of Kanagawa Prefecture Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association Matsumoto Jun, Japanese House of Representatives members Nishime Kosaburo, Sasaki Hajime, Yana Kazuo, and Katou Ryusho, and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki. 
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2025-05-02
President Lai meets Atlantic Council delegation
On the afternoon of May 2, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington, DC. In remarks, President Lai said that we have already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties to achieve a common objective of reducing all bilateral tariffs. At the same time, the president said, we will expand investments across the United States and create win-win outcomes for both sides through the trade and economic strategy of “Taiwan plus the US.” The president also emphasized that Taiwan is not only a bastion of freedom and democracy, but also an indispensable hub for global supply chains. He expressed hope that, given shared economic and security interests, Taiwan and the US will generate even greater synergy and prove to be each other’s strongest support. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I welcome you all to Taiwan. In particular, Vice President Matthew Kroenig visited Taiwan last June and now is making another trip less than a year later. He also contributed an important article supporting Taiwan to a major international publication, highlighting the concern that our international friends have for Taiwan. We are truly moved and thankful. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I sincerely thank all sectors of the US for their longstanding and steadfast support for Taiwan. Especially, as we face the challenges arising from the regional situation, we hope to continue deepening the Taiwan-US partnership. Holding a key position on the first island chain, Taiwan faces military threats and gray-zone aggression from China. We will continue to show our unwavering determination to defend ourselves. I want to emphasize that Taiwan is accelerating efforts to enhance its overall defense capabilities. The government will also prioritize special budget allocations to increase Taiwan’s defense spending from 2.5 percent of GDP to more than 3 percent. This reflects the efforts we are putting into safeguarding our nation and demonstrates our determination to safeguard regional peace and stability. During President Donald Trump’s first term, Taiwan purchased 66 new F-16V fighter jets. The first of these rolled off the assembly line in South Carolina at the end of this March. This is crucial for Taiwan’s strategy of achieving peace through strength. In the future, we will continue to procure defense equipment from the US that helps ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We also look forward to bilateral security collaboration evolving beyond arms sales to a partnership that encompasses joint research and development and joint manufacturing, further strengthening our cooperation and exchanges. Taiwan firmly believes in fair, free, and mutually beneficial trade ties. Indeed, we have already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties. This includes our common objective of reducing all bilateral tariffs as well as narrowing the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy and agricultural and other industrial products from the US. At the same time, we will expand investments across the US. We will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, the new trade and economic strategy of “Taiwan plus the US,” to build non-red supply chains and create win-win outcomes for both sides. As the US is moving to reindustrialize its manufacturing industry and may hope to become a global manufacturing center for AI, Taiwan is willing to join in the efforts. Taiwan is not only a bastion of freedom and democracy, but also an indispensable hub for global supply chains. We have every confidence that, given shared Taiwan-US economic and security interests, we can generate even greater synergy and prove to be each other’s strongest support. In closing, I thank Vice President Kroenig once again for leading this delegation, demonstrating support for Taiwan. I look forward to exchanging opinions with you all in just a few moments. I wish you a smooth and successful trip. Vice President Kroenig then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for hosting them. He said that it is an honor to be here and to lead a delegation from the Atlanta Council, which consists of a mix of former senior US government officials with responsibility for Taiwan and also rising stars visiting Taiwan for the first time. Vice President Kroenig said that they are here at a critical moment, as there is an ongoing war in Europe, multiple conflicts in the Middle East, and increased Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, he pointed out, the regimes of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly working together in a new axis of aggressors. Vice President Kroenig indicated that the challenge facing the US and its allies and partners, including Taiwan, is how to deter these autocracies and maintain global peace, prosperity, and freedom, especially in Taiwan, whose security and stability matter, not only for Taiwan, but also for the US and the world. Vice President Kroenig assured President Lai and the people of Taiwan that the US is a reliable partner for Taiwan. The vice president stated that the administration under President Trump is prioritizing the deterrence of China, and that President Trump has announced an intention to have the largest US defense budget in history, more than US$1 trillion, to resource this priority. Pointing out that an America-first president will not help a country that is not helping itself, Vice President Kroenig said that their delegation has been impressed with the steps President Lai and the administration are taking to strengthen Taiwan’s security, including increasing defense spending, developing a societal resilience strategy, and using cutting edge technologies like unmanned systems to promote indigenous defense production. Vice President Kroenig said that more than money and equipment are necessary to secure a democracy against a powerful and ruthless neighbor, adding that history shows that the human factor is the most important. In the end, he said, it will be the will of the people of Taiwan to resist coercion and to defend their home which will be the most important factor determining the future fate of Taiwan and for the ability of the people of Taiwan to chart their own destiny. Vice President Kroenig emphasized that Americans are willing to support Taiwan in this endeavor, but it will be the people of Taiwan and strong and capable leaders like President Lai at the forefront of this struggle, with the firm support of America. Vice President Kroenig said that as the US and Taiwan work together on these challenges, the Atlantic Council looks forward to offering support behind the scenes. Founded in 1961 to support the Transatlantic Alliance, he said, the Atlantic Council is a global think tank, and part of its DNA is working closely with friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. He said they look forward to continuing their close and longstanding cooperation with Taiwan through visiting delegations, research and reports, and public and private events. In closing, Vice President Kroenig thanked President Lai again for hosting them and for the work he is doing to secure the free world. The delegation also included former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Heino Klinck and former Director for Taiwan Affairs at the White House National Security Council Marvin Park.
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2025-05-01
President Lai meets Japan’s LDP Youth Division delegation
On the morning of May 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Youth Division. In remarks, President Lai thanked the guests for demonstrating support for deepening Taiwan-Japan ties through concrete actions. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue to conduct exchanges in such areas as national defense, the economy, education, culture, sports, and the arts so that bilateral relations reach even greater heights. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I want to welcome our distinguished guests, who include Diet members in the LDP Youth Division and guests from Junior Chamber International (JCI) Japan, to the Presidential Office. It is also a pleasure to see LDP Youth Division Director Nakasone Yasutaka, House of Representatives Member Hiranuma Shojiro, and House of Councillors Member Kamiya Masayuki again today. I look forward to discussions with all our distinguished guests. The LDP Youth Division and JCI Japan have once again demonstrated support for deepening Taiwan-Japan ties through concrete actions. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I also want to thank the LDP Youth Division for launching a fundraising campaign to help those affected by the earthquake in Hualien County on April 3 last year. LDP Youth Division members will be important leaders in Japan’s political arena in the future. Taiwan deeply values our exchanges with the Youth Division and hopes to bring about concrete results from such exchanges. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are critical to the security and prosperity of the world, and Taiwan and Japan can work together to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo and Kishida Fumio, and current Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru have repeatedly stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at important international venues. Taiwan is deeply grateful to Japan’s current and former prime ministers for their concern and support for this issue. Taiwan and Japan can also cooperate in industry and the economy. As our industries are complementary, further cooperation can create win-win outcomes. In the semiconductor industry, for instance, Taiwan’s strengths lie in manufacturing, while Japan’s strengths lie in materials, equipment, and technology. If we work together, the semiconductor industry is sure to see even more robust development. In addition to the economy and national defense, Taiwan and Japan can also conduct exchanges in such areas as education, culture, sports, and the arts. Our countries have long shared deep ties – Director Nakasone’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro, was stationed in Taiwan and lived in what is now the Mingde New Residential Quarter of Kaohsiung City’s Zuoying District. I am confident that on the basis of our already solid foundations, Taiwan-Japan relations can reach even greater heights. Director Nakasone then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for finding time in his busy schedule to meet with the visiting delegation. He said that the LDP Youth Division sends a visiting delegation to Taiwan each year and is always granted the opportunity to meet with the president, demonstrating his high regard for the delegation, for which the director again expressed his gratitude. He remarked that he, together with House of Representatives Member Suzuki Keisuke, visited Taiwan last July, and that whenever he visits Taiwan, it feels as if he is returning home. Director Nakasone recalled President Lai’s earlier remarks, saying that he hopes the young people of Taiwan and Japan can fully engage in exchanges in the areas of national defense, the economy, culture, education, and the arts. The director said he believes that in today’s complex and difficult international situation, such directives are necessary. This is especially so, he emphasized, during United States President Donald Trump’s second term, when things once taken for granted are no longer so, and when the global economy is undergoing significant changes. Director Nakasone expressed his full support for strengthening Taiwan and Japan’s practical and strategic cooperation. He said he believes each side will be able to benefit from such cooperation and hopes that exchanges will progress toward shared goals. He pointed out that, as maritime nations, Taiwan and Japan share the goals of protecting the ocean and using marine resources wisely, goals that we ought to cooperate on and devote our full efforts to. The peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait are critical to the peace and stability of East Asia and even the world, he said, so we must ensure that the world and its leaders recognize this point, and Japan will do its utmost to advocate for it. Director Nakasone said, on the topic of semiconductors, that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s new fab in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has made the area very lively, adding that the Japanese government is providing more than 1.25 trillion yen in subsidies. Moving forward, the Japanese government plans to inject an additional 10 trillion yen, he said, to aid in the development of AI and other fields. Noting that Taiwan and Japan both excel in semiconductors, he expressed his hope that each can give free rein to its strengths to produce an even greater effect. Director Nakasone said that despite Taiwan’s facing formidable internal and external circumstances, it saw 4.6 percent economic growth last year under President Lai’s strong leadership, and it continued to promote measures to enhance overall societal resilience, all of which is admirable. In closing, the director thanked President Lai once again for taking the time to meet with them. Also in attendance were Japanese House of Representatives Members Nemoto Taku and Fukuda Kaoru, and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
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2025-04-29
President Lai meets NBR delegation  
On the morning of April 29, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR). In remarks, President Lai stated that as Taiwan stands at the very frontline of defense of global democracy, we are actively implementing our Four Pillars of Peace action plan, which includes continuing to enhance our national defense capabilities, demonstrating our commitment to defending freedom and democracy. The president said he hopes to further advance national security and industrial cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. He also expressed hope that this will help boost economic resilience for both sides and establish each as a key pillar of regional security, elevating our relations to even higher levels. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet with Admiral John Aquilino again today. I also warmly welcome NBR President Michael Wills and our distinguished guests from the bureau to Taiwan. I look forward to exchanging views with you all on Taiwan-US relations and the regional situation. During his tenure as commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Aquilino placed much attention on the Taiwan Strait issue. And the NBR has conducted a wealth of research and analysis focusing on matters of regional security. Thanks to all of your outstanding contributions and efforts, the international community has gained a better understanding of the role Taiwan plays in the Indo-Pacific region and in global democratic development. For this, I want to extend my deepest gratitude. Taiwan stands at the very frontline of defending global democracy and is located at a strategically important location in the first island chain. We are actively implementing our Four Pillars of Peace action plan, which includes continuing to enhance our national defense capabilities, building economic security, demonstrating stable and principled cross-strait leadership, and standing side-by-side with the democratic community to jointly demonstrate the strength of deterrence and safeguard regional peace and stability. At the beginning of this month, I announced an increase in military allowances for volunteer service members and combat troops. The government will also continue to reform national defense and enhance self-sufficiency in defense. In addition, we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. These efforts continue to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and demonstrate our commitment to defending freedom and democracy. As we mark the 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, we thank the US government for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan and strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership over the years. We believe that, in addition to engaging in military exchanges and cooperation, Taiwan and the US can build an even closer economic and trade relationship, boosting each other’s economic resilience and establishing each as a key pillar of regional security. I expect that your continued assistance will help advance national security and industrial cooperation between Taiwan and the US, elevating our relations to even higher levels. Once again, I welcome our distinguished guests to Taiwan and wish you a pleasant and successful trip. I hope that through this visit, you gain a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Taiwan’s economy and national defense. Admiral Aquilino then delivered remarks, thanking the Ministry of National Defense for the invitation and President Lai for receiving and spending time with them. Mentioning that this is his second visit in five months, he said he continues to be incredibly impressed with the president’s leadership and the actions he has taken to secure Taiwan and defend its people. Admiral Aquilino said that he has watched the efforts of the ministers on whole-of-society defense to demonstrate deterrence and added that the pace of the work is nothing short of inspiring. Admiral Aquilino noted that Taiwan’s thriving democracy is incredibly important to the peace and stability of the region. He stated that he, alongside the NBR, will continue to offer support, noting that President Wills and his team are an asset to Taiwan and the US that helps continue our close relationship and ensure peace and stability in the region.  
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2025-04-28
President Lai meets Japanese Diet Member and former Minister of State for Economic Security Takaichi Sanae
On the afternoon of April 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and former Minister of State for Economic Security Takaichi Sanae. In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of Japan for repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at important international venues. The president expressed hope that in the face of China’s continually expanding red supply chains, Taiwan and Japan can continue to cooperate closely in such fields as semiconductors, energy, and AI technology to create non-red supply chains that enhance economic resilience and industrial competitiveness for both sides, and jointly pave the way for further prosperity and growth in the Indo-Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Representative Takaichi as she returns for another visit to Taiwan. I am also very happy to have Members of the House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi and Ozaki Masanao, and Member of the House of Councillors Sato Kei all gathered together here to engage in these very important exchanges. Our visitors will be taking part in many exchange activities during this trip. Earlier today at the Indo-Pacific Strategy Thinktank’s International Political and Economic Forum, Representative Takaichi delivered a speech in which she clearly demonstrated the great importance she places upon the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. For this I want to express my deepest appreciation to each of our guests. The peoples of Taiwan and Japan have a deep friendship and mutual trust. We have a shared commitment to the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, but beyond that, we both have striven to contribute to regional peace and stability. I also want to thank the government of Japan for repeatedly emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait at important international venues. Tomorrow you will all make a trip to Kaohsiung to visit a bronze statue of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who once said, “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” We will always remember the firm support and friendship he showed Taiwan. Since taking office last year, I have worked hard to improve Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience and implement our Four Pillars of Peace action plan. By strengthening our national defense capabilities, building up economic security, demonstrating stable and principled cross-strait leadership, and deepening partnerships with democratic countries including Japan, we can together maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and across the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, in the face of China’s continually expanding red supply chains, we hope that Taiwan and Japan, as important economic and trade partners, can continue to cooperate closely in such fields as semiconductors, energy, and AI technology to create non-red supply chains that further enhance economic resilience and industrial competitiveness for both sides. Going forward, Taiwan will work hard to play an important role in the international community and contribute its key strengths. I hope that, with the support of our guests, Taiwan can soon accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and sign an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan so that we can jointly pave the way for further prosperity and growth in the Indo-Pacific region. Lastly, I thank each of you once again for taking concrete action to support Taiwan. I am confident that your visit will help deepen Taiwan-Japan ties and create even greater opportunities for cooperation. Let us all strive together to keep propelling Taiwan-Japan relations forward.  Representative Takaichi then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai and Taiwanese political leaders for the warm hospitality they extended to the delegation, and mentioning that the visiting delegation members are all like-minded partners carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. July 8 this year will mark the third anniversary of the passing of former Prime Minister Abe, she said, and when the former prime minister unfortunately passed away, President Lai, then serving as vice president, was among the first to come offer condolences, for which she expressed sincere admiration and gratitude. Representative Takaichi stated that Taiwan and Japan are island nations that face the same circumstances and problems, and that Japan’s trade activities rely heavily on ocean transport, so once a problem arises nearby that threatens maritime shipping lanes, it will be a matter of life and death for Japan. Taiwan and Japan are similar, as once a problem arises, both will face food and energy security issues, and supply chains may even be threatened, she said. Regarding Taiwan-Japan cooperation, Representative Takaichi stated that both sides must first protect and strengthen supply chain resilience. President Lai has previously said that he wants to turn Taiwan into an AI island, she said, and in semiconductors, Taiwan has the world’s leading technology. Representative Takaichi went on to say that Taiwan and Japan can collaborate in the fields of AI and semiconductors, quantum computing, and dual-use industries, as well as in areas such as drones and new energy technologies to build more resilient supply chains, so that if problems arise, we can maintain our current standard of living with peace of mind. Representative Takaichi indicated that cooperation in the defense sector is also crucial, and that by uniting like-minded countries including Taiwan, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia, and even countries in Europe, we can build a stronger network to jointly maintain our security guarantees. Representative Takaichi expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will continue to strengthen substantive non-governmental relations, including personnel exchange visits and information sharing, so that we can jointly face and respond to crises when they arise. Regarding the hope to sign a Taiwan-Japan EPA that President Lai had mentioned earlier, she also expressed support and said she looks forward to upcoming exchanges and talks. The visiting delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
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2025-04-06
President Lai delivers remarks on US tariff policy response
On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions.  However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods:  1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age.  4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.
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