The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has always taken a balanced approach in building friendships with US officials across party lines, and it would continue to work toward bolstering Taiwan-US relations under the incoming administration of US president-elect Donald Trump next year, the ministry said yesterday.
MOFA North American Affairs Department Director-General Wang Liang-yu (王良玉) made the remark in response to media queries at a routine news conference.
In the past few days, US media have reported some confirmed members as well as likely candidates for Trump’s Cabinet, and Wang was asked to comment on his selection for key positions.
Photo: screen grab from a Ministry of Foreign Affairs livestream
“MOFA and our overseas representatives’ offices have long taken a balanced approach in our interactions with the US’ two parties, establishing a wide network of friends,” she said, adding that it would continue to do so.
“After the election, the ministry will continue to pay attention to the formation of Trump’s incoming administration and build on the existing foundation of a solid partnership to strengthen Taiwan-US relations,” Wang said.
In related news, the American Institute in Taiwan last week publicized a letter from the US’ agriculture, commerce and state departments to state governors and local governments to encourage cooperation with Taiwan, she said.
The letter stressed that Taiwan is a vital US partner and encouraged commercial, cultural, educational, people-to-people and other engagements with Taiwan, she said.
The letter also said the two sides should take advantage of shared values and their robust relationship, she added.
It is the third time that the US’ federal government issued a letter to its states and local governments and clearly expressed its support for deepening economic and cultural ties with Taiwan.
MOFA thanks the US government for encouraging engagement with Taiwan, she said.
Meanwhile, President William Lai (賴清德) sent his congratulations to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba yesterday after he was elected as prime minister by Japanese lawmakers on Monday.
“I sincerely congratulate the prime minister on his re-election. Taiwan-Japan relations have consistently been close and friendly,” Lai wrote on X. “Taiwan is looking forward to working with Japan’s new administration to further deepen the bilateral ties.”
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
This is Lai’s second congratulatory message to the leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the past 45 days.
Lai previously offered similar congratulations to Ishiba on Oct. 1 following the prime minister’s victory in the LDP leadership race.
Additional reporting by CNA
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