TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) hosted Rupert Hammond (韓儒伯), president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council (美台商業協會), on Wednesday (Jan. 8) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部). The meeting reviewed the achievements of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation under the Biden administration and aimed to expand partnerships in security, trade, and industry sectors.
Lin highlighted the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade (台美21世紀貿易倡議), noting that its first agreement took effect on Dec. 10, 2024. He expressed optimism about advancing related negotiations. The fifth Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD, 經濟繁榮夥伴對話) occurred last Oct., during which both sides agreed to extend the memorandum of understanding for five years to strengthen bilateral economic collaboration.
Lin urged the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council to help resolve the double taxation issue swiftly, aiming for a win-win situation for businesses and cross-border workers. He emphasized Taiwan's commitment to remaining part of the democratic supply chain as global supply chains reorganize. Lin stated that Taiwan will continue to support the democratic supply chain and deepen its partnerships with the U.S. and other democratic countries through trade and investment.