Taiwan foreign minister to visit Texas to boost trade ties

TAIPEI – Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung will visit the US state of Texas to speak at a forum on artificial intelligence (AI) and promote business and trade ties, his office said on May 6, as Taipei seeks to bolster investment and see off the threat of tariffs.

Goods from tech powerhouse Taiwan had been due to face US import tariffs of 32 per cent until US President Donald Trump paused the plan in April for 90 days.

Taiwan has since begun tariff talks with the US and promised to purchase more US goods and invest more in the country as a way to seek more balanced trade.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that its minister would speak at a Taiwan-Texas AI summit in the state on May 9, and be accompanied by an industry delegation, including from the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association.

The ministry said the main purpose of the trip was to promote Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s road map to deepen Taiwan-US ties and facilitate Taiwanese investment in the country.

The ministry said it looked forward to Mr Lin’s visit to Texas with the delegation to “deepen our mutually beneficial partnership with the United States and Texas in a number of economic and trade areas”.

Taiwanese contract electronics manufacturer Inventec in April agreed to invest up to US$85 million (S$110 million) to build manufacturing facilities in Texas.

Chinese-claimed Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic ties with the US, but the country is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier.

Despite the lack of formal relations, Taiwanese foreign ministers and other senior officials do on occasion visit the US. REUTERS

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