President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday called for the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the EU, saying it would boost cooperation in semiconductors and that, as democracies, the two sides should be working together.
Taiwan has pushed for the signing of investment and trade deals with the EU, in what would be politically significant for Taiwan given its diplomatic isolation and general exclusion from most global bodies and agreements.
For its part, the EU has been courting Taiwan as a “like-minded” partner under the European Chips Act to encourage more semiconductor production in Europe and lessen dependence on Asia, despite the lack of formal ties.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
Speaking at the annual EU investment forum in Taipei, Lai said that facing the threat of expanding authoritarianism, Taiwan and the EU must form a “strong democratic umbrella” and build secure supply chains for global democracies.
“Looking to the future, Taiwan hopes to take an innovative approach toward the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the EU,” he said.
Such an agreement would lay a sound institutional basis for further cooperation in fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, he added.
“This would not only make both our economies more resilient and secure, but also ensure the stable operation of global supply chains,” he said.
Taiwanese investment in the EU has been anchored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電), which in August broke ground on a major new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and automakers.
Maria Martin-Prat, deputy head of the European Commission’s directorate-general for trade, made no mention of signing such a deal with Taiwan in a video message to the investment event, although she did praise bilateral relations.
“Taiwan, a vibrant democracy with an open economy, is a trusted partner for us to promote our economic security,” she said.
Taiwan has few free-trade agreements, although last year it signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership with the UK and has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened to a typhoon yesterday morning and remains on track to brush past southeastern Taiwan from tomorrow to Sunday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. As of 2pm yesterday, the storm was approximately 950km east-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan proper’s southernmost point, the CWA said. It is expected to enter the Bashi Channel and then turn north, moving into waters southeast of Taiwan, it said. The agency said it could issue a sea warning in the early hours of today and a land warning in the afternoon. As of 2pm yesterday, the storm was moving at
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At least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured when a man plowed his car into pedestrians exercising around a sports center in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on Monday night. Footage showing bodies lying on the pavement appeared on social media in the hours after the crash, but had vanished by early Tuesday morning, and local police reported only “injuries.” It took officials nearly 24 hours to reveal that dozens had died — in one of the country’s deadliest incidents in years. China heavily monitors social media platforms, where it is common for words and topics deemed
Typhoon Usagi yesterday had weakened into a tropical storm, but a land warning issued by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) was still in effect in four areas in southern Taiwan. As of 5pm yesterday, Tropical Storm Usagi was over waters 120km south-southwest of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), the southernmost tip of Taiwan proper, and was moving north at 9kph, CWA data showed. The storm was expected to veer northeast later yesterday. It had maximum sustained winds of 101kph, with gusts of up to 126kph, the data showed. The CWA urged residents of Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Taitung County and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春) to remain alert to
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