Historic visit heralds stronger bilateral ties for US and Taiwan
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/09/17
By: Chris Chang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Keith Krach greets Taiwanese official and AIT director upon his arrival (CNA photo)
Greeted by Director of the American Institute in Taiwan William Brent Christensen and officials from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Krach descended from the Gulfstream G-V private jet at the Shung Shan Air Force Base in Taipei. During his three-day visit from Sept. 17-19, Krach will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday (Sept. 18) as well as other governmental officials.
On Sept. 19, Krach will attend Taiwan's former President Lee Teng-hui's memorial ceremony with Robert Destro, assistant secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the State Department.
Krach's visit followed a heated debate in Taiwan after the government announced the easing of import restrictions on U.S. beef and pork, which is said to have paved the way for both parties to negotiate and establish a bilateral trade agreement. On Aug. 31, the State Department's Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell confirmed the U.S. was ready to initiate a new bilateral dialogue with the island nation to explore the full spectrum of options for the economic relationship. [FULL STORY]
