President Lai Ching-te attended the "2025 European Dinner" tonight (29th), expressing hope for Taiwan and Europe to further establish a systematic mechanism for bilateral economic and investment relations, promoting the signing of the Taiwan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement in an innovative and diverse manner, aimed at providing a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for both parties.

Lai also stated that Taiwan will actively cooperate with democratic countries, including Europe, to jointly build a resilient and potential "non-red supply chain." He believes that in terms of safeguarding freedom and democracy or enhancing economic relations, the potential for Taiwan-EU cooperation is limitless, and he hopes to deepen partnership ties to jointly contribute to global peace, stability, and prosperity.

During tonight's gala, Lai delivered a speech in English, emphasizing the profound relevance of the Schuman Declaration's spirit amidst the changes in geopolitical dynamics and economic fluctuations. He pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the European War; Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with democratic partners and work with Europe to establish a more resilient and trustworthy partnership.

Lai emphasized that Europe is Taiwan's third-largest trading partner and the largest source of foreign investment. Last year, the total trade volume between Taiwan and Europe reached 84.7 billion USD, showcasing the close economic relationship and reflecting the high level of trust between enterprises of both sides.

He noted that Taiwan, recognized for its democratic system by the international community, also possesses a semiconductor industry crucial for global security and prosperity, allowing Taiwan to play a key role in the restructuring of the global democratic supply chain and the reconfiguration of economic order.

Lai remarked that particularly concerning is the expansion of supply chains dominated by new authoritarian groups using non-market mechanisms, price subsidies, and resource monopolization to control global key technologies and manufacturing capacities. This not only distorts market fairness but threatens the fundamental expectations of the international community regarding democracy, the rule of law, and corporate responsibility.

He stressed that Taiwan will actively collaborate with democratic nations, including Europe, to jointly create a resilient and potential "non-red supply chain," and propose the "Global Semiconductor Democratic Supply Chain Partnership Initiative," which is not only an economic cooperation proposal but also an alliance of shared values and advanced technology.

Lai expressed that at this critical moment, whether it is about safeguarding freedom and democracy or enhancing economic relations, the potential for cooperation between Taiwan and Europe is unlimited, and he hopes to seize this strategic opportunity to further strengthen partnership relations for global peace, stability, and prosperity.