President Lai Ching-te said May 2 that Taiwan is committed to working with the U.S. to generate greater synergy and give mutual support concomitant with their shared economic and security interests.
Lai made the remarks while meeting a delegation from Washington D.C.-based think tank, the Atlantic Council, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
Taiwan continues to show unwavering determination to defend itself and safeguard regional peace and stability, the president said. He added that the country is accelerating enhancement of its defense capability by increasing defense spending to more than 3 percent of its gross domestic product.
The government will procure further defense equipment from the U.S. while strengthening bilateral security collaboration and deepening partnerships with that country in manufacturing, research and development, Lai said. He cited the assembly line completion of the first new F-16V fighter jets, out of a total of 66 purchased by Taiwan during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term.
According to Lai, Taiwan has proposed a roadmap for deepening bilateral trade ties, including reducing all bilateral tariffs as well as narrowing the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy, agricultural and industrial products from the U.S. The country will expand investments across the North American country and promote a new trade and economic strategy of “Taiwan plus the U.S.,” he said, adding that Taiwan is also willing to join the U.S. in its goal to become a global manufacturing center for artificial intelligence.
In response, Atlantic Council Vice President Matthew Kroenig said that Taiwan’s security and stability matter for the U.S. and the world. The U.S. is a reliable partner for Taiwan and President Trump’s administration is prioritizing the deterrence of China, he added.
Kroenig concluded by saying that the AC looks forward to continuing its close and longstanding cooperation with Taiwan through delegations, research and reports; and public and private events. (YCH-E)
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