Recently, senior officials from the United States and Taiwan held a new round of economic, trade, and technology dialogues in Washington D.C., focusing on cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technology, and drones. The U.S. State Department stated in a post-meeting announcement that Taiwan is a “vital partner” in relevant initiatives, emphasizing the crucial role of its advanced manufacturing industry in driving the development of artificial intelligence.
The U.S. Department of State released a press release on Tuesday, January 27th, announcing the successful conclusion of the sixth U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) meeting that took place recently.
During this round of talks, the U.S. delegation was led by Jacob Helberg, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, and included representatives from various government departments. On the Taiwanese side, the delegation was led by Minister of Economic Affairs Gong Mingxin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Mingqi, Deputy Minister of Digital Development Hou Yixiu, Deputy Minister of Education Liu Guowei, and Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Yu Da-kong.
The U.S. State Department highlighted that both sides signed multiple statements during the meeting regarding artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chain security, including the “Pax Silica Declaration” aimed at ensuring the security of AI chip supply chains, and the “U.S.-Taiwan Economic Security Cooperation Joint Statement.”
This dialogue focused on strategic coordination regarding supply chain security, including ensuring the security of AI technology across the entire industry chain, supporting trusted digital infrastructure, collaborating on drone system component certification, and cooperation in critical mineral areas. Representatives also exchanged views on how to address economic threats, promote joint investments and cooperation in third countries, resolve tax-related obstacles, and facilitate bilateral investment.
As a key manufacturing base for advanced semiconductors and AI chips globally, Taiwan has been actively promoting the signing of double taxation avoidance agreements with the United States for years, believing that this would help further expand bilateral investment and the layout of high-tech industries. The U.S. also acknowledged Taiwan’s strategic position in advanced manufacturing and technology research and development. However, as of now, the formal signing and implementation of a double taxation avoidance agreement have not been completed by both sides.
A separate statement issued by the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that both sides agreed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial for global economic security and prosperity, serving as vital prerequisites for the current international supply chain layout and industrial development. The meeting also touched on issues such as submarine cable security, exploration of cooperation in low-orbit satellite communication systems, and high-tech talent training.
In recent years, Taiwan has repeatedly accused the Chinese authorities of disrupting undersea communications and network cables, while Beijing denies these allegations. Taiwan is advancing the construction of a low-orbit satellite communication system to enhance communication protection capabilities in specific scenarios, with the U.S. and Taiwan engaging in exchanges in related technological areas.
Earlier this month, Taiwan and the U.S. reached a new tariff and trade agreement that saw the U.S. reducing tariffs on certain Taiwanese exports and encouraging Taiwanese companies to increase investments in U.S. semiconductors and other industries. The United States remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter and primary supplier of weapons, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two.
The EPPD mechanism was first initiated during Trump’s first presidential term in November 2020, aiming to deepen cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan on issues such as supply chain security, investment, technology, and economic resilience to forge a closer relationship. This meeting marks the sixth round of dialogues under this mechanism and the first EPPD meeting between the U.S. and Taiwan since Trump returned to the White House.
The Chinese authorities have consistently opposed official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, arguing that the Taiwan issue is its internal affair and considering such interactions as a red line that should not be crossed. The Taiwanese government, on the other hand, has stated that Beijing’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan lack factual basis and emphasized that the future political direction of Taiwan should respect the will of the Taiwanese people.
(Reference from Reuters)