Brussels: Taiwan and the European Union on Friday held the Taiwan-EU Trade and Investment Dialogue in Brussels, focusing on economic security and the resilience of semiconductor supply chains. The dialogue, which represents the highest-level platform for Taiwan-EU economic cooperation, was co-hosted by Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin and Sabine Weyand, director-general for Trade and Economic Security at the European Commission, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

According to Focus Taiwan, participants at the dialogue exchanged views on climate-related trade measures, global steel overcapacity, and other commercial issues. During the meeting, Kung emphasized Taiwan’s strategy to diversify global supply chains, enhance its technology and manufacturing capabilities, and boost international competitiveness, as stated by the MOEA.

In addition to co-hosting the dialogue, Kung held a meeting with Kerstin Jorna, the European Commission’s director-general for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Their discussions centered around industrial policy and potential areas for cooperation. Kung also engaged with Taiwanese business representatives based in Brussels to understand their local operations, identify challenges, and explore possible government support measures.

The European Union ranks as Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surpassing US$68.7 billion in 2024, according to MOEA data. In terms of investment, the EU stands as Taiwan’s largest foreign investor, with cumulative investment reaching US$59.5 billion from 1952 to 2024, showcasing the depth of economic ties between the two sides.