TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan, 台灣美國商會) released its 2025 Taiwan White Paper on Tuesday (June 10), calling on the Taiwan government to strengthen industry collaboration to bolster resilience, expedite regulatory modernization, and safeguard the island's economic future. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, AmCham underscored Taiwan's chance to solidify its position as a pivotal partner in global supply chains and a leader in strategic sectors.
"We believe a more predictable, transparent, harmonized environment will help Taiwan remain deeply integrated in global supply chains and positioned as a regional leader," AmCham Taiwan Chairperson Dan Silver said during a press conference in Taipei. "Transparency is the foundation of good rule making since 2016 and even before."
AmCham applauded recent government efforts, including presidential-level committees on climate change, public health, and defense preparedness. However, the Chamber noted inconsistencies in execution across various industries. It urged for enhanced regulatory transparency, consistent adherence to the 60-day public notice and comment period, and increased stakeholder engagement during legislative drafting.
"The businesses of tomorrow need clean sufficient energy to keep their lights on, fragmented permitting processes, limiting auction rules and access bottlenecks undermine investor confidence," Silver continued, highlighting challenges in energy, healthcare, and digital infrastructure. He stressed the importance of reliable and clean energy access for expanding investment in Taiwan.
In healthcare, the Chamber acknowledged improved dialogue with regulators but emphasized the need for Taiwan's regulatory and reimbursement systems to align with global standards. On talent and workforce issues, AmCham praised advancements in digitalized work permits and visa procedures but called for streamlined onboarding processes for foreign professionals.
With only 9 of 97 issues from the 2024 White Paper resolved, however, AmCham emphasized the necessity of more frequent public-private dialogue to eliminate investment obstacles. In its "Messages to Washington," the Chamber highlighted Taiwan's contributions to U.S. economic and strategic interests, emphasizing its role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. AmCham urged the U.S. government to sustain bipartisan support for Taiwan's defense and to ensure the timely delivery of approved arms packages.
"This underscores the need for more decisive, coordinated government action to improve predictability and reduce regulatory uncertainty," Silver added. "While the number of issues resolved remains modest. We did see a slight reversal of past downward trends."
AmCham further encouraged the resumption of high-level visits to Taiwan to further cooperation in trade, energy, and technology. As a U.S.-Taiwan double taxation agreement nears fruition, AmCham stressed the urgency of resolving this barrier to Taiwanese investment in U.S. manufacturing. During the White Paper launch, AmCham also called for the removal of tariffs on Taiwanese goods, arguing that they unfairly penalize a trusted democratic partner.
"Taiwan must and is remaining proactive in pursuing a comprehensive reciprocal trade agreement measures," Silver stressed. "Taiwan should remain proactive in seeking deeper economic engagement with the United States, including continued efforts to secure targeted tariff relief and advance a double taxation avoidance agreement."
Finally, AmCham urged Washington to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations where full statehood is not required, such as the World Health Organization. The Chamber expressed gratitude to the National Development Council for coordinating government responses to the White Paper and acknowledged ongoing efforts to address policy challenges.
"From our surveys, three quarters of our members say that a US Taiwan bilateral trade agreement is important to their business beyond removing trade barriers a comprehensive reciprocal agreement that sends a powerful message of commitment and leadership,"said AmCham Taiwan President Carl Wegner. "We look forward to working together to ensure that Taiwan remains resilient, competitive and indispensable in the global economy."
AmCham's comprehensive recommendations highlight the critical steps needed to enhance Taiwan's economic landscape and reinforce its strategic alliances. The Chamber's call for action reflects a broader commitment to fostering a resilient and prosperous future for Taiwan and its partners. ◼
