OT-2147
October 29, 2021
Remarks by AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk at
the Taiwan session of the 2021 Indo-Pacific Business Forum
October 29, 2021
Hello everyone! On behalf of the American Institute in Taiwan, I am delighted to welcome you to participate in this virtual panel co-hosted with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, otherwise known as TAITRA.
Today, you will hear from a diverse panel of experienced Taiwan industry players about Taiwan’s role working with likeminded partners to build a resilient supply chain to power electric vehicles, or EVs, for the future.
I want to first acknowledge the role Taiwan has played in partnership with the United States on pivotal policy initiatives. Taiwan is a reliable partner, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world.
As we evaluate what changes to the global supply chain are necessary as the world economy seeks to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is certain: Taiwan has demonstrated time and again that it is a critical player in moving toward a more sustainable global economy.
Taiwan is at the center of regional high-technology supply chains, and the United States considers Taiwan a key partner in critical emerging technologies, medical equipment, and semiconductors. In addressing global climate change challenges, Taiwan has clearly demonstrated its contribution to global climate change reduction through technology advancement and leadership. Many Taiwanese companies are indispensable suppliers for the global EV industry, ranging from supplying autonomous driving systems to designing batteries to manufacturing other key components. We will continue to work together with Taiwan to ensure these supply chains remain safe and secure.
The experience and credibility of Taiwan companies in producing high-tech components are an asset for the EV supply chain in the Indo-Pacific, and I hope many of you will explore some of these synergies here today with the presenters.
I would also like to emphasize that the Indo-Pacific Business Forum is intended to identify innovative solutions on which the United States and likeminded partners such as Taiwan can work together. These solutions will require stakeholders from the industrial, scientific, academic, non-governmental, and social spheres to act together in partnership.
Thank you to TAITRA for co-hosting this panel with AIT as part of our joint U.S.-Taiwan supply chain initiative and thank you all for joining us today.
