Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) departed for Washington yesterday at the head of a legislative delegation, on what he said was a trip aimed at seeking mutual benefits and lower tariffs on Taiwanese imports to the US.
Before his departure from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport around 9:30pm yesterday, Chiang told reporters that the trip was mainly about parliamentary diplomacy.
However, compared to the past, the visit is special in terms of significance, goals and timing, given the current pressure on various countries due to the “reciprocal” tariffs proposed by US President Donald Trump in early April, according to Chiang.
Photo: CNA
The legislative deputy speaker said that he and his delegation hope to achieve mutually beneficial goals and engage in discussions on lower tariffs on Taiwanese imports to the US.
He also expressed the hope that the calculation of the bilateral trade balance would take into account not just Taiwan’s arms procurement, but also other purchases from the US.
Given the complementary economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and the US, there are many areas for cooperation between industries on the two sides, he said.
Taiwan’s government and business sectors are hoping that trade talks with the US can be held soon, he said, adding that apart from arms purchases from the US, there is ample room for bilateral cooperation on national defense and security.
The visit comes in the wake of Trump's announcement on April 9 of a 90-day suspension of the “reciprocal” tariffs he had imposed days earlier and his statement that the US would hold negotiations with various countries during the 90-day pause.
Chiang's seven-member delegation, which includes lawmakers Chang Chih-lun (張智倫) and Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪) of the KMT, Lin Yi-chun (林憶君) of the Taiwan People’s Party, and Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) of the Democratic Progressive Party, is to start its official agenda today.
The agenda includes meetings with members of the US Congress, talks with other government officials, and discussions with think tanks that have an influence on the US government, Wang told reporters.
The talks are to focus on Taiwan security issues, including Taiwan’s importance in the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan’s increase of its national defense budget, Wang said.
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