Taiwan willing to share AI development with APEC member countries

Taipei, May 25 (CNA) Taiwan's delegation to the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers' meeting, held in Suzhou, China, last week, expressed willingness to share Taiwan's experience in AI development with other member economies, the Office of Trade Negotiations said Monday.

In a statement, the trade office under the Executive Yuan said APEC members agreed that digital trade and AI have become key drivers of regional economic growth.

Taiwan, which is promoting comprehensive AI infrastructure initiatives to support business development -- particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises -- is willing to share its experience in the field, the office said.

Taiwan has adopted AI to help old economy industries transform themselves and improve competitiveness, while the country's customs agency has also adopted AI technology to identify high-risk goods and raise customs clearance efficiency, it noted.

Taiwan's delegation, led by Minister without Portfolio and top trade negotiator Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), also expressed a willingness to share Taiwan's experience with green economic transformation, the office said.

In response to the international goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Taiwan has set up a "Green Trade Information Website" to provide assistance to foreign buyers looking for Taiwanese companies for collaboration and to purchase Taiwanese products for global markets, it added.

The office further said that the APEC trade ministers' meeting raised concerns over the impact on supply chains due to wars, blockades of shipping channels and export restrictions.

Taiwan and other APEC members agreed to push for a market-oriented economy and integration of regional economic resources in a bid to improve the resilience of supply chains in the region and build an inclusive and predictable environment for economic development, it said.

According to the trade office, Taiwan has called for APEC members to pay close attention to any market-distortion practices, non-market policies, and trade remedy measures related to industrial policies, and urged the increased transparency and predictability of such policies to maintain fair competition.

In addition, to reduce digital trade costs, most member countries support a permanent exemption from tariffs on electronic transmissions, the office added.

As a result, Taiwan encouraged member countries to continue monitoring developments related to this issue, adding that the goal should be pursued in a more long-term and predictable manner, the office said.