Taipei: Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Monday that Taiwan should deepen trade and economic cooperation with democratic partners rather than depend on China, as his government pushes to reshape the island’s economic strategy.
Speaking after high level economic talks with the United States, Lai said Taiwan’s future growth should be built through partnerships with countries that share similar political values. The discussions focused on cooperation in technology, artificial intelligence and secure supply chains.
Officials said the talks also aimed to strengthen links in critical sectors such as semiconductors and minerals used in advanced manufacturing. Taiwan is seeking to protect its key industries by working more closely with trusted partners.
Lai’s comments come at a time of strained relations with China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and refuses to hold official talks with his administration. Beijing has criticised Lai as a supporter of Taiwan independence.
The president pointed to Taiwan’s recent economic performance as proof that closer ties with democracies can deliver results. Growth has been driven largely by global demand for chips and artificial intelligence related products, where Taiwan plays a central role.
Within Taiwan, the issue remains politically sensitive. The ruling party supports reducing economic exposure to China, while opposition groups argue that stable cross strait trade is important for peace and business.
For now, the government says its priority is to build a broader network of partners in North America, Europe and Asia to ensure long term stability and economic security.