On the afternoon of September 30th, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lai Ching-te met with Luke Lindberg, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs of the United States. President Lai expressed his anticipation for utilizing Taiwan’s high-tech industry advantages in strengthening cooperation between Taiwan and the US in agricultural innovation technology and food security resilience for mutual benefit and prosperity.
President Lai welcomed the return visit of Deputy Secretary Lindberg after a year, emphasizing the deep friendship and close partnership between Taiwan and the United States. He highlighted the recent visit of the Taiwan delegation for agricultural product trade to the US and the subsequent visit of Deputy Secretary Lindberg with dozens of American industry representatives, showcasing the strong bond between Taiwan and the US. President Lai underscored the importance of further enhancing economic and trade exchanges between Taiwan and the US.
Taiwan is currently the 7th largest trading partner of the US and the 7th largest market for agricultural exports. The US has also become Taiwan’s largest foreign investment destination and the largest market for agricultural exports, signifying the mutual needs and solid cooperation between the two sides in the fields of agriculture and trade.
President Lai mentioned that during the Taiwanese delegation’s recent visit to Washington and relevant agricultural states, including South Dakota where Deputy Secretary Lindberg resides, Taiwan demonstrated its determination to elevate the Taiwan-US trade partnership. During the visit, agreements were signed for Taiwanese companies to purchase $10 billion worth of American agricultural products such as soybeans, wheat, corn, and beef over the next four years. This initiative aims to enhance Taiwan’s livestock production efficiency through the import of high-quality feed materials and contribute to Taiwan’s food security.
In the technology sector, President Lai emphasized Taiwan’s role as a reliable and significant partner of the US, expressing hope for leveraging Taiwan’s high-tech industry advantages to enhance cooperation between Taiwan and the US in agricultural innovation technology and food security resilience. As an essential node in the Indo-Pacific’s first island chain and a crucial hub in the global non-red supply chain, Taiwan faces geopolitical risks and challenges, advocating for collaboration among neighboring countries with similar principles to uphold world peace, stability, and prosperity.
President Lai stated that Deputy Secretary Lindberg’s visit symbolizes the mutually beneficial cooperation between Taiwan and the US in agricultural trade crossing public and private sectors, signaling a firm and steady progression towards deepening strategic economic and trade partnerships. He expressed a collective effort to further strengthen Taiwan-US relations for global prosperity.
Deputy Secretary Lindberg extended gratitude to President Lai for the warm reception and conveyed condolences to the Taiwanese people affected by the powerful typhoon “Hagasa.” The delegation comprising 25 American companies aims to facilitate the promotion of US agricultural product sales and establish sustainable partnerships with Taiwan, underscoring the significance of visiting Taiwan during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Deputy Secretary Lindberg thanked Taiwanese consumers for their continuous support of American agricultural products, with 25% of imported agricultural products and food in Taiwan originating from the US, contributing to Taiwan’s food security. As a friend of Taiwan, the US is committed to enhancing Taiwan’s resilience through ensuring energy security.
He mentioned that following the recent visit of Taiwan’s Minister of Agriculture with the “Friendly Visit Delegation for Agricultural Trade to the US,” the American delegation arrived with goodwill and announced further opening up opportunities for Taiwanese pineapples to be sold in the US market. The hope is that this announcement will bring joy and prosperity to many Taiwanese families as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches. Expectations are high for ongoing discussions and exchanges with the hope of continued development and prosperity in the bilateral relationship.