President Lai Ching-te received U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego at the Presidential Office Jan. 23 in Taipei City and pledged to expand Taiwan-U.S. relations to jointly uphold regional peace and prosperity.
According to the President, Taiwan is firmly determined to maintain the status quo in the region because it is a crucial link for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community.
Facing escalating economic, military and diplomatic coercion from China, Taiwan continues to bolster its self-defense capabilities, Lai said, citing as an example an eight-year, US$40 billion special defense budget proposed last year to increase investment in local industry and develop cutting-edge technologies to build the T-Dome.
Lai said Taiwan and the U.S. have concluded tariff negotiations and signed an investment MOU which will pave way for closer bilateral collaboration in high-tech sectors. He thanked Gallego for supporting Taiwan in Congress and expressed hope that the senator will support the swift passage of the U.S.-Taiwan Double-Tax Relief Act, as the legislation will create win-win outcomes for the partnership.
In response, Gallego said the president’s defense budget has been noted by his fellow senators and that they look forward to seeing this commitment expand Taiwan’s domestic market and enhance collaboration with the U.S. and other partners around the world.
The senator stated that there is and will continue to be bipartisan support in Congress for the sovereign independence of Taiwan and its continued international responsible role. The bilateral relationship will continue to be strong, no matter who holds the presidency, he added. (SFC-E)
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