The following is the text of a joint press statement issued at the conclusion of the 3
rd Digital Economy Forum.
On December 10-11, 2019, senior representatives from the United States and the Taiwan authorities, under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), held the third Digital Economy Forum in Taipei to identify shared strategic priorities of the U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship in the digital age.
During the Forum, the two sides held discussions on working together to advance the deployment of secure and trusted 5G networks and standards, cooperate on digital connectivity and cybersecurity programming in third countries, foster an open data economy, facilitate cross-border data flows and privacy, exchange policy approaches for the responsible use of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and to affirm a shared commit to pursuing innovation for social good.
AIT and TECRO, on behalf of their respective authorities, affirm support for the following ten policy priorities:
- To deepen semiconductor industry integration based on trusted partners, joint advanced research and development, and an understanding of the economic and national security implications of the semiconductor industry.
- To support the deployment of secure and trusted 5G hardware, services and standards that uphold shared democratic and open-market values as embodied in the Prague Proposals. To highlight the value of a transparent and open 5G architecture and to more closely cooperate on supporting diverse 5G supply chains.
- To strengthen cybersecurity of the technology industry and its supporting infrastructure, recognizing that cybersecurity is a prerequisite for the development of the digital economy. Additionally, to engage in capacity building on the digital economy and cybersecurity in and with third countries, such as through the U.S. government’s Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP), the U.S.-Taiwan Global Cooperation and Training Framework and other mechanisms.
- To promote application of best practices on data transparency, big data business models, and open governance. To adopt a “light touch” regulatory approach to create the space for new innovations to emerge, even if doing so might disrupt traditional industries.
- To explore the legal, regulatory and administrative basis for a possible AIT-TECRO instrument on the digital economy that meets the standards set forth in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and explores the possibility of establishing even higher standards, while reaffirming participation in the APEC Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system.
- To pursue closer integration of the U.S. and Taiwan artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and advanced machinery industries, while putting in place appropriate controls to prevent leakage of sensitive technologies between our respective territories.
- To spur Taiwan’s transition to an innovation-based economy, in particular through integrating the U.S. and Taiwan startup ecosystems with those of like-minded economies, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and encouraging social and technological innovation for sustainable and democratic development in our respective territories.
- To facilitate the circulation, cultivation, and connection of talent between Taiwan, the United States, and other like-minded partners.
- To promote an inclusive, open, and transparent system of Internet governance and active support for the multi-stakeholder approach; and
- To apply all necessary measures to protect intellectual property, including trade secrets, including strengthening cyber defenses and enforcement of relevant laws.
The participants also reaffirmed the AIT-TECRO
Trade and Investment Framework Agreement as the key forum for U.S. and Taiwan authorities to resolve trade issues, including those related to digital trade.
The two sides welcomed the initiatives outlined in the
3rd U.S.-Taiwan SME Work Plan as vital for promoting technological and social innovation for good, in particular with respect to women’s empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
AIT and TECRO are pleased to announce Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) workshops related to digital economy to be held in 2020 promoting circular economy and Internet freedom; and they look forward to future GCTF workshops that advance our shared vision for an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet.
AIT and TECRO look forward to working together with like-minded partners on the deployment of secure and trusted 5G networks consistent with the principles outlined in the Prague Proposals, engaging in capacity building through third-country training workshops, and organizing cyber exercises that bring together partners with shared cyber priorities.
The participants applauded the recently launched
Talent Circulation Alliance, and encouraged all like-minded partners to actively facilitate the circulation of digital economy and technology-related talent as an answer to brain drain and to ensure that Taiwan’s future remains firmly anchored in the free and open Indo-Pacific through enhanced people-to-people exchange among the region’s top talent.
To facilitate continual progress towards realizing the two sides’ shared policy priorities and initiatives listed above, a U.S.-Taiwan Digital Economy Working Group is expected to be established. The Working Group intends to meet at least once a year to take stock of progress made and to establish a Work Plan for the following year. Recognizing the full spectrum of the U.S.-Taiwan digital economy relationship has both economic and national security implications, the Working Group is expected to be co-chaired by the AIT Deputy Director and the Deputy Minister of the National Development Council.
The AIT delegation included Assistant Secretary of Commerce Ian Steff. Participation included officials representing the Department of State, Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and AIT. The TECRO delegation was led by National Development Council (NDC) Minister Chen Mei-ling, and included representatives from NDC, the Board of Science and Technology of the Executive Yuan, the Department of Cybersecurity of the Executive Yuan, the National Communications Commission, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and TECRO. U.S. and Taiwan industry representatives also participated in the forum.
This Press Release is also available on the AIT and the NDC websites at:
https://www.ait.org.tw/zhtw/
https://www.ndc.gov.tw/