Lai announces national strategies on defense, semiconductors, Taiwan-US relations

2025/02/18

President Lai Ching-te said Feb. 14 that Taiwan is committed to continuing to reform national defense, bolster Taiwan-U.S. ties and develop the semiconductor industry, according to the Presidential Office.
 
Lai made the remarks during a press conference following this year’s first high-level national security meeting in Taipei City.
 
The president reaffirmed that Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and strengthen defense self-sufficiency, as well as enhance economic resilience and autonomy, the PO said. To this end, he announced that the country will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure the defense funding exceeds 3 percent of the gross domestic product, the office added.
 
According to the PO, the government will continue to reform national security laws to counter threats from China and advance economic and trade strategies such as strengthening protections for high-tech sectors and working with global partners to build democratic supply chains.
 
Lai additionally unveiled national strategies on other critical issues. He discussed Taiwan-U.S. relations, saying that the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will endure, and pledged to continue enhancing security cooperation.
 
The U.S. is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target, with the U.S. accounting for over 40 percent of the country’s overall foreign investment in 2023 and 2024, Lai said. The government will further expand U.S. investment and procurement to facilitate balanced trade while strengthening guidance and support for Taiwan enterprises to do likewise, the president added, vowing to boost bilateral collaboration in tech development and manufacturing, especially pertaining to artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors.
 
The president went on to say that the government will strengthen communications to help the new U.S. administration better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in rebuilding American manufacturing and underscore how Taiwan-U.S. cooperation benefits both sides. He added that Taiwan will introduce an initiative to form a global AI chip alliance and establish democratic supply chains for related industries.
 
As for cross-strait relations, Taiwan will neither yield nor provoke, Lai said, adding that the country is determined to protect its free and democratic way of life, maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and choose dialogue over confrontation under the principles of parity and dignity.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)