Taiwan’s foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, is set to visit the U.S. state of Texas to attend a forum on artificial intelligence (AI) and to promote business and trade relations between the two regions. This visit comes at a time when Taiwan is actively seeking to strengthen its economic ties with the United States, particularly in light of trade tensions. Taiwan has faced the threat of a 32% import tariff on its goods headed to the U.S., a proposal which was temporarily put on hold by President Donald Trump last month for 90 days. In response, Taiwan has engaged in tariff negotiations with the U.S., promising to buy more American goods and increase investment in the country as part of efforts to balance the trade relationship.
The foreign ministry stated that Minister Lin will speak at the Taiwan-Texas AI summit in Texas on Friday, accompanied by a delegation from Taiwan’s industry sector, including members from the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association. The primary aim of the trip is to promote President Lai Ching-te’s broader strategy to deepen Taiwan-U.S. ties, particularly in economic and trade matters, and to encourage further Taiwanese investments in the U.S. The ministry emphasized the importance of the visit in strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship between Taiwan, the U.S., and Texas across various sectors.
One of the recent developments reflecting Taiwan’s growing economic presence in the U.S. is the agreement by Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Inventec to invest up to $85 million in building new manufacturing facilities in Texas. Despite Taiwan’s lack of formal diplomatic relations with the U.S. due to China’s claims over the island, the two countries maintain close informal ties, particularly in the areas of trade, technology, and defense. Taiwan’s foreign ministers and other senior officials occasionally visit the U.S., further solidifying these unofficial but crucial connections.
Lin’s visit to Texas underscores Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of international trade while seeking to bolster its economic standing in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The trip is a clear indication of Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships with the U.S. and exploring new opportunities for collaboration, particularly in cutting-edge industries like artificial intelligence.
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