Taiwan’s Apec representative discusses chips with US Treasury’s Bessent
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Taiwan’s representative to the Apec summit, Mr Lin Hsin-i, said he and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed safe supply chains and tech cooperation.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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GYEONGJU, South Korea - Taiwan’s representative to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, Mr Lin Hsin-i, said on Nov 1 that he and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed supply chains and semiconductors during a meeting on the sidelines of the event in South Korea.
The island’s exports to the US, apart from semiconductors, are currently subject to a 20 per cent tariff, though Taipei has been in talks to get the figure reduced.
Mr Lin, a former economy minister, told reporters in the city of Gyeongju that the two discussed safe supply chains and tech cooperation during a 40-minute meeting, adding that Mr Bessent was interested in hearing how Taiwan built its chip industry.
The two “had a very wide-ranging discussion, covering cooperation in technology, the security of supply chains, and many other issues”, Mr Lin said.
“He said, ‘I was really intrigued to hear how you built up your high-tech semiconductor cluster – how it developed and the history behind it’. He listened with great interest.”
The US Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside office hours in Washington.
Like most countries, the US has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is the democratically governed island’s most important international backer and arms supplier.
US President Donald Trump left South Korea after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
On the night of Oct 31, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted a picture on social media platform X in which she greeted Mr Lin at the summit.
The Apec grouping is one of the few international bodies Taiwan takes part in, although under the name “Chinese Taipei” to avoid political problems with China, which views the island as its own territory.
Mr Lin did not answer questions on whether he had talked to Mr Xi.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said Mr Lin had no interaction with Mr Xi at the closing ceremony’s group photograph for leaders and country representatives, even though both were on the same stage.
At the 2024 summit in Peru, Mr Lin greeted Mr Xi with a wave, but they did not speak. Mr Lin also met then US President Joe Biden in Lima.
China to host 2026 Apec
China will host the 2026 Apec meet in the southern manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, which turns out everything from robotics to electric cars.
China provided written assurances in 2024 about the safety of participants in that summit, Taiwan Foreign Ministry official Jonathan Sun told the same news conference.
Taiwan has worked within the Apec framework “to ensure that China fulfils its commitments – so that the meetings can proceed smoothly, and the safety of all participants is fully protected”, he added.
China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China’s government refuses to speak to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “separatist”. It has ramped up military pressure against Taiwan, including war games staged in its vicinity.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future. REUTERS
