Taipei: President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday called on European countries to pursue investment and double-taxation agreements with Taiwan, highlighting growing bilateral investment and opportunities to deepen cooperation in semiconductors and other technologies.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lai, speaking at the EU Investment Forum in Taipei, noted that Taiwanese investment in the European Union had surged 650 percent over the past decade compared with the previous 10 years, while bilateral trade reached nearly US$75 billion last year. He emphasized that Taiwanese companies are increasingly adopting an integrated approach to investment in Europe, with a focus on larger scale and longer time frames.
Lai welcomed the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association's recent announcement of a technology park in Poland, indicating that this development would facilitate Taiwanese investments in the EU and foster cooperation with local industries. He urged European nations to promote agreements on double taxation and investment with Taiwan to unlock greater industrial cooperation.
His remarks come amid efforts by Taiwan and the EU to expand their cooperation beyond semiconductor trade, aiming to establish more resilient technology supply chains. Lutz Gllner, head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, noted the growing European presence at SEMICON Taiwan 2026, reflecting a relationship that is becoming more interconnected and technological.
Gllner highlighted that the ambition extends beyond merely increasing semiconductor trade. He stressed the goal of building ecosystems by linking research, design, manufacturing, and applications. Taiwan's strengths in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and materials complement Europe's capabilities in research and its diverse industries, including automotive and aerospace.
Gllner also mentioned the European Commission's proposed Chips Act 2.0, which was announced in June, as a catalyst for new opportunities for cooperation with Taiwan. Lai concluded that combining the strengths of Taiwan and Europe could contribute to building a secure and resilient semiconductor ecosystem.