Senior U.S. Official Visits Taiwan, Pledges Support for Taiwan’s Active Participation in the International Community

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[People News] Casey Mace, the senior U.S. official responsible for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) affairs, visited Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday (March 2–3). During the visit, Mace met with senior Taiwanese officials and industry leaders to discuss APEC-related issues, promote U.S.–Taiwan economic cooperation, and support Taiwan’s active participation in the international community.

According to Voice of America (VOA), the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) stated that in meetings with Taiwanese officials, Mace would also focus on supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. AIT functions in practice as the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan.

AIT’s statement noted that in addition to leading U.S. engagement in APEC, Mace also oversees the Office of Economic Policy in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Mace’s visit comes as China serves as the 2026 APEC host. Last November, China held the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. Chinese state media reported that China is expected to host approximately 300 APEC meetings and events across multiple cities this year.

Founded in 1989, APEC is an intergovernmental forum of 21 Pacific Rim member economies aimed at promoting free trade in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan joined APEC in 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei.”

Regarding China’s role as APEC host in 2026, Taiwan’s senior APEC official and Director-General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sun Chien-yuan, stated on January 13 that Taiwan, as a full APEC member, has always actively participated. Even with China hosting this year’s meetings, Taiwan’s objectives remain unchanged. Beyond increasing Taiwan’s visibility within APEC, Taiwan hopes to exchange views with other members on relevant issues and even play a leadership role.

He previously stated that Taiwan’s participation in APEC meetings hosted by China must meet two conditions: first, equal participation; and second, ensuring the personal safety of attendees.

Recently, U.S.–Taiwan economic engagement has been frequent.

On February 12, the United States and Taiwan signed a reciprocal trade agreement. The U.S. reduced tariffs on products imported from Taiwan to 15%, while Taiwan agreed to eliminate or reduce 99% of its tariff barriers on U.S. goods and plans to increase long-term purchases of American products. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Taiwan’s Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, and Taiwan Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni attended the signing ceremony, which was held in the United States by AIT and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO).

On January 27, senior U.S. and Taiwanese officials held the sixth U.S.–Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) in Washington. The two sides focused on supply chain security and signed a joint statement on the “Pax Silica Declaration” and U.S.–Taiwan economic security cooperation. “Pax Silica” is a U.S.-led strategic initiative aimed at building a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain. The U.S. government hosted the inaugural Pax Silica Summit last December.

A U.S. State Department statement on the EPPD said: “Taiwan is a key partner in these and other critical economic initiatives, and its advanced manufacturing sector plays a central role in driving the AI revolution.” △