Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Saturday discussed the Taiwan–U.S. investment partnership with the Saudi Arabian media outlet Asharq Al-Awsat. This marks the first time in 35 years that a Middle Eastern media outlet has interviewed a Taiwanese foreign minister, following Saudi Arabia’s severance of diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1990.
In the interview, Lin emphasized Taiwan’s pivotal role in the global semiconductor supply chain. He noted that amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Taiwan has emerged as a critical player in global supply chains, contributing to the development of secure and resilient networks jointly established by several nations.
Lin says that Taiwan and the United States share a complementary partnership in the high-tech sector. He adds that the U.S. is a global technology leader, while Taiwan is a powerhouse in semiconductor manufacturing. Taiwan’s comprehensive industrial capabilities and strong intellectual property protections make it an essential and trusted partner.
He says that Taiwan is the 21st largest economy in the world, supplying 60 percent of the world’s semiconductors and 95 percent of the most advanced chips. In 2023, the U.S. became the top destination for Taiwan’s overseas investment. Major Taiwanese companies have expanded their presence in the U.S., including the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
Lin also mentioned President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) “Taiwan plus-one policy” as a new industrial arrangement between Taiwan and the U.S, adding that Taiwan will continue to work with the U.S. and other like-minded countries to build a more flexible and diversified supply network.