Taiwan tech diplomacy took center stage at the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, as Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan’s representative, met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
During their 40-minute discussion, Lin and Bessent focused on secure supply chains and semiconductor industry development. Bessent expressed strong interest in Taiwan’s methods for building its high-tech semiconductor cluster.
Lin described the meeting as “wide-ranging,” covering technology cooperation, supply chain security, and other emerging global challenges. He emphasized that Bessent listened closely to Taiwan’s history and strategies in advancing the chip sector.
Although tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the United States were ongoing, Lin said the meeting did not address them in detail. Taiwan continues to export goods to the US under a 20 percent tariff, excluding semiconductors.
Beyond the US, Lin engaged with leaders and representatives from over ten economies, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. These exchanges underscored Taiwan’s rising prominence at APEC, especially in artificial intelligence applications.
Takaichi highlighted cross-strait stability in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised Japan for voicing concerns about regional security. Lin Hsin-i clarified he had no direct interactions with Xi during the summit.
The summit’s themes centered on AI, demographic changes, and technology-driven governance, differing from traditional trade-focused agendas. Lin cited Taiwan’s deployment of AI-assisted decision-making during Typhoon Gaemi, which improved storm monitoring and disaster mitigation.
Taiwanese National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to exchange insights on AI development and tech policies.
Looking ahead, China will host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen. Taiwan has coordinated within APEC to ensure safety and smooth participation for all delegates. Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Sun emphasized that Taiwan works to guarantee China upholds its safety commitments.
Taiwan tech diplomacy demonstrated the island’s growing influence in global technology, supply chain management, and AI innovation at the APEC forum. The outcomes reinforce Taiwan’s strategic role in high-tech international collaboration.
