Taiwan a trusted partner for high-tech sector: President Lai

TAIPEI - Taiwan's partnership with the US is a source of strength for the high-tech industry, including the semiconductor sector, and shows the island is a trusted and reliable partner, President Lai Ching-te told a think-tank in Hawaii.

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Taiwan is a major producer of chips used in everything from cars to artificial intelligence applications, and is home to key Apple and Nvidia supplier TSMC.

But US President-elect Donald Trump criticized Taiwan during the election campaign, accusing it of stealing business from American semiconductor companies.

His threat of broad import tariffs could also affect an industry that is crucial to the island's economy.

Addressing Hawaii's East-West Centre on Nov 1, Mr Lai said Taiwan actively contributes to the global supply chain, especially in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, according to a summary of his remarks released by the presidential office in Taiwan.

"The US-Taiwan partnership not only strengthens these industries but also demonstrates the strategic importance of Taiwan as a trusted and reliable partner," the statement paraphrased Mr Lai as saying in closed-door comments he gave in English.