President Tsai Ing-wen said Jan. 17 that the government is looking forward to signing a Taiwan-U.S. Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement to create further bilateral industry opportunities and personnel exchanges.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a U.S. delegation led by Sen. Todd Young at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
Young’s strong support for Taiwan’s international participation and the deepening of bilateral trade relations is deeply appreciated, Tsai said, adding that his state of Indiana established a sister-state relationship as well as cooperation in education and research and development for the semiconductor sector.
According to Tsai, Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded partners to build a sustainable supply chain for semiconductors in the face of authoritarian expansion and post-pandemic economic challenges. The U.S. legislation of the CHIPS and Science Act will also help strengthen the two sides’ collaboration in relevant fields, she added.
Citing the new round of talks under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade held over the weekend, Tsai said the mechanism is sure to further facilitate the two countries’ cooperation in areas spanning digital trade and digital transformation while forging a more comprehensive economic partnership.
The president took the opportunity to thank the U.S. government and congress for its constant attention to Taiwan’s security, adding that she anticipates discussion on national defense and economic security with the senator.
In response, Young said the two sides share similar values and interests, citing the recently established relationship between Taiwan’s Hsinchu City-headquartered MediaTek Inc. and the state of Indiana, as well as the partnership between other semiconductor companies and the state’s Purdue University.
According to Young, the main reason for his visit is one on which both Republicans and Democrats alike are united, that is, strengthening the Taiwan-U.S. relationship. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw