Taiwan’s representative to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Lin Hsin-i, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in South Korea to discuss strengthening semiconductor cooperation and ensuring secure global supply chains. Speaking to reporters in Gyeongju on Saturday, Lin, a former economy minister, said the 40-minute meeting covered a “wide range of issues,” including technology collaboration and economic resilience. Bessent reportedly expressed strong interest in learning how Taiwan developed its world-leading chip industry, which has become vital to global technology production.
Lin also revealed that Taiwan continues to seek a reduction in the 20% tariff currently imposed on its non-semiconductor exports to the United States. He emphasized that discussions with Washington are ongoing and aimed at fostering mutually beneficial trade relations, particularly in advanced manufacturing and technology. The U.S. Treasury Department has yet to comment on the meeting, which took place amid growing global competition for semiconductor dominance. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s most important backer and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two.
The APEC summit, one of the few international platforms where Taiwan participates under the name “Chinese Taipei,” provided another opportunity for quiet diplomacy. Lin did not meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, who attended the summit before departing South Korea following a separate meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that Lin and Xi shared the same stage for the group photo but had no interaction. Last year in Peru, Lin greeted Xi with a wave but did not engage in conversation, though he did meet then-U.S. President Joe Biden.
As China prepares to host next year’s APEC summit in Shenzhen, Taiwan said it will continue working through the forum to ensure the safety and inclusiveness of all participants. Taiwan’s foreign ministry official, Jonathan Sun, noted that Beijing had provided written assurances regarding security at the upcoming event. However, tensions remain high between both sides, with China intensifying military pressure around the island and branding President Lai Ching-te a “separatist.” Taipei has reiterated that only the Taiwanese people can determine their own future, reaffirming its stance on sovereignty amid the evolving regional power dynamics