Tariffs and military preparedness were among the key issues discussed by Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) during her trip to the US, she said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Lu said that she had conveyed "our needs and our views" during the trip and expressed Taiwan's sincerity in reinforcing cooperation with the US.
As an export-oriented economy, Taiwan is highly sensitive to tariffs, Lu said, adding that she took the opportunity to call for an early resolution on tariff issues to help ensure the stability of global trade and the economic order.
Photo: CNA
On arms procurement, the possibility of war should not be underestimated, and every country should be well prepared and improve its self-defense capabilities, as conflicts can sometimes break out unexpectedly, Lu said.
Preparedness requires domestic unity, a shared national vision and an appropriate military deployment, she said.
Cooperation with regional partners is also critical, and the US has long been a key partner of Taiwan, playing a crucial role in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Pacific region, she added.
Her meetings during the trip exceeded expectations, with in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues, Lu said.
Among those she met with was Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Washington office, whom she described as "an old friend."
Lu made the remarks at an event marking the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America on the "Three-in-One Green Channel" initiative.
The program aims to provide one-stop services for overseas Taiwanese seeking to invest, purchase property or settle in Taichung, Lu said.
Promoting Taichung and attracting investment to the city were also key objectives of her trip, she added.
Widely seen as a potential candidate in the 2028 presidential election for the Chinese nationalist Party (KMT), Lu declined to comment on her electoral strategy, saying that she is "currently not a presidential candidate."
Lu departed for the US on Wednesday last week and is scheduled to conclude her trip on Saturday. Her itinerary included visits to Boston and New York before she arrived in Washington, where she also visited Maryland.
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