January 22-24, 2024, Keith Krach – former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment – traveled to Taiwan together with USTBC President Rupert Hammond-Chambers, members of the Council’s Board of Directors, and a large delegation of company representatives. The delegation had the unique opportunity to visit both with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President/recent President-Elect Lai Ching-te.

While in Taiwan, the Council delegation also held meetings with government officials from the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance. Additionally, the delegation also met and exchanged ideas with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), with representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan, and with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.

Issues discussed during the many high-level meetings with Taiwan government officials and business leaders included:

• The status of the U.S.-Taiwan bilateral relationship, and ways to expand bilateral business and commercial ties between the U.S. and Taiwan
• Taiwan’s view of the current status of U.S.-Taiwan trade talks and initiatives, and the interplay between the different efforts, given their substantial overlap:
• Taiwan’s view of negotiations towards an agreement on double-taxation
• The impact on the overall Taiwan business environment of Chinese political, economic, and military pressure
• Deepening cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. to promote innovations in microelectronics, EV, and AI
• New opportunities for U.S. companies to participate in the Taiwan healthcare and pharmaceuticals market
• Status of Taiwan’s energy infrastructure, with a focus on availability of power and water

Selected Photos

On the first day of the trip, January 22, 2024, the delegation met with Taiwan Premier Chien-Jen Chen.

The 2024 delegation poses with Taiwan Premier Chien-Jen Chen.

Premier Chen meets Delegation Members.

On the second day of the trip, January 23, 2024, the delegation met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

The 2024 Delegation poses with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Presdient Tsai Ing-wen hosted the Delegation at the Office of the President. Kieth Krach and Rupert Hammond-Chambers pictured (to the left of President Tsai in this picture).

On the third and final day of the trip, January 24, 2024, the delegation met with Taiwan Vice President/President-Elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-Elect Bi-Khim Hsiao.

The 2024 delegation poses with Taiwan Vice President/President-Elect, Lai Ching-te and Vice President-Elect Bi-Khim Hsiao.

Vice President-Elect Bi-Khim Hsiao and USTBC President Rupert Hammond-Chambers lead the delegation to a meeting.