For the first time since taking office, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) held his first breakfast meeting with the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC) on Tuesday morning.
CNAIC Chairman Thomas Wu (吳東亮) raised concerns regarding U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s imminent return to office in 2025. Wu said he remains optimistic regarding Taiwan’s export trade and private investment, especially taking into consideration the demand for artificial intelligence and capital injection from foreign technology giants. However, he also expects Trump’s re-election to bring major variables and challenges to the global financial market.
Wu highlighted several ways that the government can further strengthen Taiwan’s resilience in the face of political and economic uncertainty. Namely, he highlighted the importance of attracting international talent, supporting industrial growth, creating a stable and diversified power supply, and working toward the goal of making Taiwan Asia’s asset management center.
In response, Cho said that economic and trade development between Taiwan and the U.S. must continue on its previously established foundation, and to achieve this end he has established a Taiwan-US economic and trade task force to be headed by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君) and Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫). Through this task force, Taiwan will continue to promote the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, in addition to actively striving to join international economic organizations.
Cho pointed out that Taiwan continues to hold a crucial position in the global industrial supply chain, and that the importance of maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is broadly recognized by democratic countries around the world. He also emphasized that the Cabinet is eager to take suggestions from business leaders based on their experience in diplomacy and foreign cooperation.