TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday that Taiwan is a stable and reliable democratic partner as global supply chains are reshaped by geopolitical tensions and post-pandemic shifts.
Speaking at the 2026 CommonWealth Global Economic Forum, Lai said Taiwan has maintained its footing amid global turbulence, including the Russia-Ukraine war, per CNA. He said the demand among democracies for trusted supply chains has accelerated, with Taiwan emerging as a preferred partner for investment.
Lai cited the recent Taiwan-US tariff agreement, saying it puts Taiwanese businesses on the same footing as Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. He also praised TSMC’s NT$3.17 trillion (US$100 billion) US reinvestment.
Lai said his economic strategy centers on three themes: timing, geography, and unity. On timing, he pointed to the Cabinet’s Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects.
On geography, Lai emphasized the need for self-reliant defense capabilities, citing an eight-year, NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget to build a “Taiwan Shield” and develop a domestic smart defense industry.
On unity, Lai said Taiwan faces obstacles in multilateral trade due to Chinese obstruction despite being a mature economy that respects intellectual property and contributes regionally. He also praised efforts to strengthen bilateral relations since former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
Lai urged national unity and confidence, saying Taiwan can continue advancing economic progress while building a stronger, more resilient nation for the next generation.
