APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting Concludes; Taiwan Calls for Stronger Supply Chain Resilience

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. The 32nd APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting concluded successfully following the adoption of a joint statement. Taiwan advocated for strengthening supply chain resilience and stability among APEC economies, expressing its willingness to share experiences in AI innovation and green transition to deepen economic and trade cooperation. Taiwan also expressed support for World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, the strengthening of the multilateral system, and the enhancement of public-private partnerships to establish a sound digital trade environment and assist enterprises in green transformation. The Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) of the Executive Yuan issued a press release today. The APEC MRT meeting was held from May 22 to 23 in Suzhou, China. The Taiwan delegation was led by Yang Jen-ni, Minister without Portfolio and Chief Trade Negotiator, accompanied by Sun Chien-yuan, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year, the host, China, set the theme as 'Building a Prosperous and Shared Asia-Pacific Community,' with 'Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation' as priority areas. Regarding regional economic integration, countries agreed to promote the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) based on market principles. They also expressed concern over the impact of wars, maritime blockades, and export restrictions on supply chain stability, emphasizing the need for a resilient regional economic environment. On the multilateral trade order, most countries reaffirmed the role of the WTO, agreeing to continue reforms and the importance of plurilateral negotiations. Taiwan emphasized the need to address market distortions and non-market policies to maintain fair competition. Regarding AI, countries recognized it as a key driver for economic growth, emphasizing rule interoperability and responsible AI governance. Taiwan is leveraging its semiconductor industry to promote 'AI New Ten Major Constructions' and providing digital transformation support to SMEs. On green transition, Taiwan highlighted its 2050 Net-Zero pathway and its commitment to providing regulatory information and consulting services to help businesses comply with international standards.