It’s hard to believe it’s been less than 100 days since I began my tenure as President of AmCham Taiwan. From day one, I’ve been deeply impressed by the energy, professionalism, and commitment of the Chamber’s staff, committees, and members. I joined just as the 2025 Taiwan White Paper was being finalized — a behemoth flagship publication — and was immediately swept up into preparations for our annual Doorknock trip to Washington, D.C.

What struck me most during that first month was how seamlessly the team worked under pressure and how ready our members were to contribute their insights. That spirit carried over into our Doorknock, which took place in late June. Over the course of one very busy week, we held more than 40 meetings with U.S. executive agencies, Congressional offices, think tanks, and private sector stakeholders. It was my first Doorknock with AmCham, and it showcased not only the strength of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship but also how critical it is to keep that relationship evolving with the times.

Our delegation delivered a clear and consistent message in every meeting: Taiwan is a trusted ally in securing global supply chains, advancing innovation, and promoting shared democratic values. The conversations we had reflected broad and bipartisan support for Taiwan, but also a recognition that the policy landscape in Washington is changing fast. If we want to keep pace, our advocacy needs to evolve with it.

Trade, investment, and defense were all top of mind. Our strongest push was for the U.S.-Taiwan Expedited Double Tax Relief Act — a long-overdue solution to eliminate double taxation that stands in the way of bilateral investment. This issue is especially critical for the small and medium-sized Taiwanese enterprises that form the backbone of bilateral investment, including in high-priority projects like semiconductor fabrication plants in America.

While the bill enjoys strong bipartisan support, we heard clearly that procedural hurdles in the Senate remain. Our takeaway was that strategic, sustained outreach — to policymakers, media, and the broader American public — will be vital in getting this over the finish line. That means framing the issue not just as a fairness concern, but as a matter of job creation, economic resilience, and industrial cooperation between allies.

We also discussed Taiwan’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Taiwan’s constructive posture has been widely praised, though we need to remain vigilant about long-term clarity, especially given uncertainty around potential enforcement actions like Section 232 tariffs on semiconductors.

On defense, we saw growing interest in Taiwan’s rising budget and military reform efforts. AmCham highlighted our members’ role in business continuity and resilience, key elements of Taiwan’s Whole-of-Society Resilience framework. Some even suggested adapting the model for broader Indo-Pacific use.

Of course, none of these efforts succeed without sustained engagement — and that’s where AmCham comes in. Our members are deeply integrated into global supply chains and operate at the front lines of strategic industries: semiconductors, AI hardware, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and more. We emphasized that Taiwan should not be seen as a competitor to U.S. industry, but rather as an enabler and a partner that advances American industrial goals and safeguards economic security.

Looking ahead, we plan to broaden our outreach beyond government stakeholders to include media and emerging voices in Washington. In an increasingly complex political environment, effective messaging matters more than ever. We will also continue to work closely with the Taiwan government and the American Institute in Taiwan to ensure our advocacy aligns with both local reform efforts and international priorities.

I want to thank all the members who joined the Doorknock and those who supported us from Taipei. Your expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment made a strong impression in Washington. I also want to extend my gratitude to the AmCham committees that continue to drive our advocacy agenda forward. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you already, and I look forward to connecting with even more members in the weeks and months ahead. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, share your ideas, or invite me to your next committee meeting or event.

This Chamber belongs to all of us. Together, I’m confident we can continue to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship in meaningful, practical ways. Thank you for the warm welcome, and here’s to the important work ahead.