In an effort to strengthen supply chain cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan, the American Institute in Taiwan and the Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Taipei, U.S.A., co-hosted a supply chain industry symposium on Friday (Feb. 5). The industry participants called on the United States and Taiwan to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The meeting was attended by officials including Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Meihua, Director of the Taipei Office of the Institute in Taiwan Li Yingjie, and industry representatives from U.S. companies such as Corning, chipmaker Qualcomm, the Taiwan Semiconductor Association and TSMC.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said that the U.S. and Taiwan industries shared the same view during the meeting, emphasizing that the U.S. and Taiwan have complementary and mutually dependent advantages in the semiconductor supply chain, which has established a leading position for both sides in the global semiconductor industry.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs also said that industry representatives at the meeting believed that the U.S. and Taiwan could further deepen supply chain cooperation by joining the CPTPP and signing a bilateral trade agreement. The industry also suggested that both governments promote further expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) through the WTO to promote global semiconductor trade liberalization.
Industry representatives also believe that the exchange of talents, R&D and investment should be further strengthened in the future, “emphasizing the importance of intellectual property rights and business secrets protection”.
In addition, on the shortage of automotive chips, U.S. officials and industry associations expressed their gratitude to the Taiwanese government and industry for their active assistance.
China, for its part, has said it is firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, “China’s position on the Taiwan issue has been consistent and clear. We are firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan.”
Last November, the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue was held simultaneously in Washington and Taipei. According to the signed memorandum, the U.S. and Taiwan will hold annual high-level economic dialogues in Washington and Taipei on a rotating basis over the next five years.
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