Taiwan eyes further trade, economic ties with U.S. under Trump: FM

Taipei, Jan. 21 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Tuesday congratulated United States President Donald Trump on his inauguration, and expressed the hope that the existing bilateral partnership based on shared values and interests would stay strong.

In a Facebook post, Lin said Taipei and Washington are "allied partners" that share democratic values, and he also "looked forward to opening a new chapter in our economic and trade relations."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hopes to continue deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation based on the foundation laid by "mutually beneficial mechanisms" such as the CHIPS and Science Act and Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD), Lin said.

"We look forward to further collaboration between Taiwan and the U.S. to enhance our economic and trade partnership to create more fruitful results from bilateral cooperation and jointly contribute to regional and global economic prosperity," he said.

The CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law by then President Joe Biden on Aug. 9, 2022 to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in America and to strengthen American supply chain resilience.

Trump criticized the CHIPS Act in October 2024 during the campaign, but his advisers have since said they expected it to be carried forward.

The EPPD, meanwhile, was launched in November 2020 during Trump's first term. The dialogue has focused on issues of mutual concern including economic coercion, supply chain resilience and investment, tax-related barriers and ways to ensure a secure energy transition in order to advance Taiwan's net-zero 2050 goals, according to MOFA.

Due to sub-zero temperatures forecast for Washington, the inauguration ceremony was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, instead of being held on the Capitol steps.

This adjustment significantly reduced the number of attendees, and seven of Taiwan's delegation of eight lawmakers were among many who ended up watching a livestream of the inauguration at Capital One Arena on Monday (Washington time).

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), who headed the delegation, followed the ceremony with Taiwan's representative to the United States Alexander Yui (俞大㵢) from the Capitol Visitor Center in the Capitol complex.

In a separate statement released Tuesday, MOFA congratulated Trump on behalf of Taiwan's government and echoed Lin in expressing its hopes for the future.

"Our government looks forward to continuing to enhance close bilateral partnerships with the new Trump administration on security, trade, technology and education for the well-being of the two peoples and to further strengthen the Indo-Pacific region and peace, stability, and prosperity around the world," MOFA said.