Lin, a former Taiwanese economy minister, told reporters that the 40-minute meeting focused on strengthening secure supply chains, semiconductor development, and broader economic collaboration. He said Bessent expressed particular curiosity about Taiwan’s rise as a global chip powerhouse.
“He said, ‘I was really intrigued to hear how you built up your high-tech semiconductor cluster — how it developed and the history behind it,’” Lin recounted. “He listened with great interest.”
Tariffs and Trade Talks
Taiwan’s exports to the U.S., excluding semiconductors, are currently subject to a 20% tariff, though Taipei has been in negotiations to reduce the rate. The United States is Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner, and chips produced by firms such as TSMC are critical to American industries ranging from defense to consumer electronics.
The U.S. Treasury Department has not commented publicly on the meeting, which took place as Bessent led the U.S. delegation in place of President Donald Trump, who departed South Korea after a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the APEC leaders’ session began.
Taiwan’s Delicate Role at APEC
APEC remains one of the few international forums where Taiwan participates, under the name “Chinese Taipei” — a diplomatic compromise designed to prevent political disputes with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.
When asked whether he had spoken with Xi, Lin declined to comment. Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) later reported that Lin and Xi had no interaction during the closing ceremony, even though they appeared on the same stage for the group photograph.
At last year’s APEC summit in Lima, Peru, Lin exchanged a brief wave with Xi but did not engage in conversation. He did, however, meet then–U.S. President Joe Biden, highlighting the ongoing informal U.S.–Taiwan engagement under the APEC framework.
Regional Dynamics and Security Concerns
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared a photo on social media platform X on Friday night, showing her greeting Lin at the summit — a gesture symbolizing Tokyo’s continued support for Taipei amid regional tensions.
Beijing, meanwhile, has refused communication with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labelling him a “separatist,” and continues to apply military pressure, including large-scale war games near the island. Taiwan maintains that it is a sovereign entity, with its government insisting that only its citizens can determine the island’s future.
Looking Ahead: APEC 2026 in China
China will host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen, a global manufacturing hub known for robotics and electric vehicle production.
Taiwanese foreign ministry official Jonathan Sun said Beijing had previously provided written assurances guaranteeing the safety of all participants at the upcoming summit, adding that Taiwan would “continue to work within the APEC framework to ensure that China fulfils its commitments.”
While formal diplomatic ties between Taipei and Washington remain off the table, the Lin–Bessent meeting highlights the steady, pragmatic cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan — anchored by semiconductors, supply chain resilience, and shared strategic interests in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.