Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, visiting Hawaii as a stopover before his trip to Pacific island nations, has highlighted the importance of Taiwan-US coordination in security and high-tech industry policies.
Taiwan’s presidential office said Lai delivered a speech in English during a closed-door session with officials from a think tank in Hawaii on Sunday.
His visit came amid worries about military threats from China. Lai said Taiwan is strengthening self-defense and enhancing economic security.
Lai said the recent cooperation between Taiwan and US has “demonstrated Taiwan’s commitment to its security, as well as the shared commitment of Taiwan and the US to peace in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Lai touted what he said was Taiwan’s active contribution to global supply chains, especially in the semiconductor and other high-tech industries. He said the Taiwan-US partnership “not only strengthens these industries, but also shows Taiwan’s strategic importance as a trustworthy, reliable partner.”
Taiwan is apparently bracing itself for US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next year. Trump has demanded that Taiwan increase its defense budget. He also expressed his frustration with Taiwan’s thriving chip industry, which he said put US businesses at a disadvantage.
The stopover in Hawaii was part of Lai’s first overseas tour since assuming office, which will also take him to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau. He said Taiwan is ready to advance close relations with its Pacific allies through cooperation in fields such as public health and climate transformation.