Representative to the US Alexander Yui touted Taiwan’s economic prowess in an interview published on Friday, saying that the nation had a scale of economy that is larger than those of most EU countries and that “if there was a G21, Taiwan would be in it.”
“Taiwan is a country that can be trusted, dependable; we play by the rules,” Yui told Virginia Economic Development Partnership president and CEO Jason El Koubi, in an interview that was published in the Virginia Economic Review on Friday.
“Having had these series of free elections throughout the years brings stability and steadiness to our economy,” he said.
Photo: Reuters
Despite facing constant threats from China, “assessment companies and risk companies continually keep putting Taiwan as the best-grade place to be,” Yui added.
Taipei is Washington’s eighth-largest trading partner, with a particular focus on 5G technology, semiconductors and electric mobility, he said.
“We speak of the G20. But if there was a G21, Taiwan would be in it,” Yui said, adding that Taiwan’s economy is larger than those of 22 of the 27 countries in the EU.
Taiwanese and US companies enjoy long-standing relations, which are supported by governments, he said, citing the visit of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s visit in April last year as an example.
Youngkin announced a plan to open the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office during the trip, which came to fruition in September last year.
The office would help promote trade relations between the two sides, as it is important to “let our respective peoples learn more about each other and offer information directly,” he said, adding that Taiwan and the US have a “very natural affinity” as like-minded partners. “Our people think alike, we work alike and we are prone to follow rules and regulations.”
As Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US, his office is coordinating closely with the US government and the US Congress in signing an agreement to avoid double taxation, which would hopefully be passed soon, Yui said.
He also called on governments to “promote, foster [and] encourage our companies to go to each other’s country [to] know the market, know the people, know the place,” which would help both sides explore further opportunities to work together.
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