Premier Cho Jung-tai on Tuesday received Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC), and his delegation. The premier said that, considering the increasingly close cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, many Taiwanese companies intending to invest in the U.S. hope that the two sides can sign an avoidance of double taxation agreement (ADTA) soon to further reduce investment barriers. The premier thanked the USTBC for its longtime support of the ADTA and expressed hope that the council will, at this key juncture, continue using its influence to relay the business community's calls for a swift conclusion to Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations.
Premier Cho noted that one of the delegation's aims during this visit is to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan's advancements in technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. He added that the Executive Yuan has recently introduced 10 major AI projects with a focus on the research, development and manufacturing of critical technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum, smart robotics and unmanned vehicles. The premier anticipates that these initiatives could align with America's AI Action Plan, put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump, thus enabling Taiwan and the U.S. to further support each other and build a more resilient foundation for cooperation in non-red supply chains.
President Hammond-Chambers said that the USTBC and its members are working closely with Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States to promote joint interests. These include the ADTA, which is currently pending review in the U.S. Congress, and the ongoing Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations.
He further emphasized that the USTBC is focused on advancing two-way investment to drive economic growth in both Taiwan and the U.S., thereby creating a win-win outcome. The council is also committed to supporting the development of technologies such as next-generation AI and quantum computing, seeking to draw on the decades of trust built between the two sides.