Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin underscores Taiwan’s key role in the global non-red supply chain during a speech at the Atlantic Council Jan. 28 in Washington D.C. (Courtesy of MOEA)
 

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin delivered a speech to the Atlantic Council Jan. 28 in Washington D.C. in which he emphasized Taiwan’s critical role in the rise of a global non-red supply chain.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Kung said Taiwan will play an indispensable role as the artificial intelligence sector gets ready for exponential growth and the world strives to build a non-red supply chain.

Taiwan has demonstrated great resilience in the past decade amidst challenges such as U.S.-China trade friction, the COVID-19 pandemic and new U.S. tariff policies, he said, adding that local firms have also reduced reliance on China while expanding their global presence in the process.

The minister praised the growing economic partnership with the U.S., citing as an example the average annual growth of 36 percent in investment by Taiwanese firms in the U.S. between 2020 and 2024 in the states of California, Arizona and Texas.

Two milestone developments are the bilateral investment memorandum of understanding recently signed in Washington and the bilateral Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue concluded Jan. 27 in Taipei City, he said, adding that he hopes to see the two sides expand cooperation in sectors spanning biotechnology, critical minerals, low-orbit satellites and next-generation communication technology.

On the same day, Kung held a closed-door meeting with representatives from around 20 business associations and high-tech firms, including the National Foreign Trade Council, Semiconductor Industry Association and Micron Technology Inc.

The U.S. participants welcomed the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration signed by the two sides during the EPPD event in Taipei, and reaffirmed Taiwan as an indispensable U.S. partner in building secure, prosperous and innovation-driven semiconductor and AI supply chains.

The minister also met with several U.S. senators to seek congressional support for a bilateral double taxation avoidance agreement, the MOEA added. (SFC-E)

Taiwan’s 2025 foreign trade continues to scale new heights, thanks to strong global demand for the country’s high-tech products. (CNA)
 

Exports and imports both hit record highs in 2025, surging 34.9 percent to US$640.75 billion and 22.6 percent to US$483.61 billion, respectively, to create the highest annual trade surplus of US$157.14 billion.

According to the Ministry of Finance, December exports rose 43.4 percent year on year to US$62.48 billion, the second highest monthly figure and the 26th month of consecutive growth, while imports gained 14.9 percent to US$43.04, also the second monthly highest.

The ministry attributed strong export numbers to robust global demand for artificial intelligence applications, high performance computing and cloud services.

Information communication technology and audio-visuals, electronics components and parts, and machinery were the top three export items, with the first two categories both reporting the highest export values on record, the MOF said.

The U.S., China and Hong Kong, and 10 major Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries remained the top three destinations for Taiwan’s exports. Exports in 2025 to the U.S. and ASEAN nations were both the highest on record.

While potential geopolitical risk and uncertainties stemming from the U.S. administration tariff policies may slow down global trade, the MOF anticipates major cloud service suppliers to step up investment spending, while many countries will continue supporting sovereign AI development and computing infrastructure construction.

Due to Taiwan’s advantages in the global semiconductor and ICT supply chains, the ministry remains optimistic about 2026 export prospects. (SFC-E)

The Artificial Intelligence Fundamental Act anchors key priorities for AI development in Taiwan and positions the country to become a global leader in the field. (Courtesy of Executive Yuan)
 

The Legislative Yuan passed the Artificial Intelligence Fundamental Act Dec. 23, marking a milestone in government AI innovation and security governance promotion.

According to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the legislation aims to lay a legal foundation for safeguarding cultural values, enhancing global competitiveness and ensuring that AI applications are ethical.

The MODA said the legislation was drafted by the National Science and Technology Council in 2024, with public notice given July 15 of the same year. The ministry took over the work this year and introduced an AI risk classification framework, as well as attended public hearings and review meetings organized by lawmakers.

The legislation outlines seven core principles on AI research, development and applications: sustainability, human autonomy, privacy protection and data governance, safety, transparency, fairness, and accountability.

It also requires that issues of social justice and environmental sustainability are addressed in the process, as well as offering adequate education and training to close the digital gap; establishing information security protection measures to ensure system stability and security; and providing proper disclosure on AI use.

The ministry said it will serve as a cross-agency integration platform and guide the leverage of Taiwan’s semiconductor advantage to create a people-centered AI innovation ecosystem in Taiwan. (SFC-E)

Taiwan Rep. to India Chen Mu-min (second left) and an India Taipei Association representative display an MOU on pharmaceutical product regulation cooperation Dec. 3 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Ministry of Economic Affairs)
 

Taiwan and India held their 18th economic consultations Dec. 3 in Taipei City to exchange views on global trade developments and explore ways to deepen bilateral investment and supply chain cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the event was convened by Deputy Minister Cynthia Kiang and Amardeep Singh Bhatia, secretary of India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Kiang said that given the rapid changes in the global economic and trade landscape, countries are working hard to forge secure and resilient supply chains.

India is a key destination for local firms seeking to increase their global presence, she said, adding that the government looks forward to expanding cooperation with India, especially by leveraging Taiwan’s high-tech technologies and India’s strong software talent pool.

Bhatia said the two sides have built a strong cooperative foundation through multiple collaborative pacts concluded over the years. The government is stepping up investment incentives and expanding infrastructure development, he said, expressing hope of more Taiwanese firms setting up supply chains in India to jointly explore global business opportunities.

A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in pharmaceutical product regulations was also inked at the meeting, while another MOU was signed via videoconference between Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission and the Indian International Financial Services Centres Authority.

Official statistics show that bilateral trade hit a record high of US$10.6 billion in 2024. The figure amounted to US$10.17 billion for the first 10 months of 2025, up 17.69 percent year over year and set to reach another new annual high. (SFC-E)

Chen Pei-li (front, third right), deputy director general of the MOEA’s Industry Development Administration, receives a delegation led by APSCC President Terry Bleakley (front, third left) Nov. 3 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOEA)
 

The Asia-Pacific Space Community Council’s 26th annual conference and exhibition is underway in Taipei City through Nov. 6, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

This marks the first time that the event has taken place in Taiwan, signifying growing global recognition of its technological expertise. The event drew 150 satellite-related businesses from countries including Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the U.S. to explore emerging technologies, the MOEA said.

On Nov. 3 APSCC President Terry Bleakley met with Chen Pei-li, deputy director general of the MOEA’s Industry Development Administration, to exchange views and discuss potential opportunities for local enterprises and the international supply chain, the ministry added.

Speaking at the opening of the conference the next day, Bleakley noted Taiwan’s position as an indispensable player in the international market due to its innovative and pioneering capacity in design and manufacturing, and envisioned an integration of the broader satellite industry ecosystem with Taiwan’s supply chain.

Following Bleakley’s remarks, Chen spoke about Taiwan’s role as the global satellite sector’s best partner, referencing the fact that it has become a major component supplier for international corporations including the OneWeb, a multinational subsidiary of the French company Eutelsat, and U.S.-based SpaceX.

According to the MOEA, Taiwanese research institutions and tech corporations also joined the exhibition. Taoyuan City-based National Central University, Hsinchu County-headquartered Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taipei City-based Ubiqconn Technology and Hsinchu City-based Tron Future Tech all showcased the country’s capabilities and proficiency in the integration of satellite communications technologies.

The MOEA pledged to continue supporting industries to advance next-generation technologies as part of the efforts to attract further cooperative opportunities. (POC-E)

Senior government officials give the thumbs-up at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Taiwan Innotech Expo Oct. 16 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Ministry of Economic Affairs)
 

The 2025 Taiwan Innotech Expo got underway Oct. 16 in Taipei City, underscoring government efforts to promote innovation and strengthen the country’s key role in the global high-tech value chain.

Jointly organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and Industrial Technology Research Institute, the three-day event is supported by 11 government agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs and National Science and Technology Council.

During his opening remarks, MOEA Minister Kung Ming-hsin said that in addition to showcasing Taiwan’s R&D capabilities and industrial strengths, the event brings together more than 400 exhibitors from 19 countries. With over 1,000 innovative technologies on display, the expo is as important as the annual SEMICON Taiwan, he added.

Kung said this year’s exhibition focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence applications and sustainable technologies, noting that more than 300 AI-related applications are being shown. The minister expects the annual expo to serve as a key global platform for technological exchanges.

According to the organizers, the expo comprises four sections. In the Invention Competition Area, nearly 500 entries from home and abroad will vie for the prestigious Platinum Award, which recognizes innovations with strong AI integration, while the Taiwan Patent Go features 40 award-winning patents from Taiwan’s National Invention and Creation Award.

The Innovation Economy Pavilion demonstrates AI’s impact on sectors such as manufacturing and semiconductors, the Future Tech Pavilion showcases 200 R&D breakthroughs, while the Sustainability Pavilion focuses on circular sustainability, empowering resilience and smart innovations, among others.

The expo also offers guided tours to better understand the latest developments in local sectors such as AI, precision health care and sustainability, as well as forums on topics spanning cybersecurity, next-generation communication applications and smart robotics. (SFC-E)

Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (back, fourth left, under flag) speaks to business representatives Aug. 18 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOEA)
 

Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei hosted a forum for representatives of small and medium enterprises Aug. 18 in Taipei City to facilitate discussion of fluctuating currency exchange rates, overseas market expansion and U.S. tariffs.

Kuo noted in remarks at the event that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has been holding talks with export-oriented industries since April in response to the tariff scheme, and has proposed multiple concrete measures to maintain stable operations and improve resilience.

The minister explained that the MOEA has organized 85 artificial intelligence pilot production lines to support digital transition in collaboration with research and development institutions. He also mentioned the Aug. 14 launch of the Taiwan Trade and Investment Service Center in Dallas, Texas, to assist SMEs with supply chain integration and overall marketing, and described the planned expansion of attendance at international exhibitions and the increase in ministry-run marketing campaigns to enhance the visibility of domestic products.

According to the ministry, financial assistance is available to help SMEs address the impact of tariffs. The aid includes the allocation of NT$5 billion (US$165 million) for corporate transitional loans as well as an R&D subsidy pool of NT$25 billion.

The MOEA stated that government-industry collaboration is vital to keeping local SMEs on top amid fierce global competition, and pledged to remain in close communication with industrial sectors to create new opportunities and provide companies with flexible and precise support. (POC-E)

Taiwan and New Zealand hold the 12th ANZTEC joint committee meeting Aug. 4 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
 

The 12th edition of the joint committee meeting under the Agreement Between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation was held Aug. 4 in Taipei City, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.

According to the MOEA, the Taiwan delegation was led by Hu Chi-chuan, deputy director-general of its International Trade Administration. The participating officials exchanged views and reviewed progress on a wide range of issues specified in the agreement, including food safety inspections, animal and plant health inspections, technical trade barriers, e-commerce and joint audiovisual production, as well as trade, labor and Indigenous concerns.

Food safety and animal and plant inspections have been priority issues since the agreement took effect in December 2013, the MOEA said. Taiwan has successfully expanded its agricultural export market with shipments of locally grown Oncidium orchid cut flowers, mangoes, pineapples and lychees to New Zealand, the ministry added.

At the same time, the MOEA said Taiwan has honored its pledge to not levy tariffs on selected agricultural products from New Zealand such as antlers and liquid milk. The government additionally completed systematic inspections of other dairy products from New Zealand in June this year, paving the way for exports of qualified products to Taiwan in the future, it added.

In terms of technical trade barriers, the ministry said the two sides reviewed the bilateral exchanges last September on key minerals, energy-storage equipment and battery safety and will host a seminar later this month to bring Taiwan firms up to speed on New Zealand’s inspection regulations on electrical and electronic products.

The Taiwan delegation thanked its New Zealand counterpart for promoting ANZTEC to deepen the bilateral trade relationship, and expressed hope that the two sides will expand cooperation in response to the changing global trade landscape. (SFC-E)