Taiwan

Keith Krach’s Remarks at the Meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

It fills me with immeasurable honor to stand once again with my friends in Taiwan. I express my deepest gratitude to you, President Tsai, for your hospitality. Over the past 40 years, I have had the privilege of coming to Taiwan, first as a businessman, then as a diplomat, and now as a friend.

The reason I keep coming back is not simply duty or diplomacy, but a profound love and admiration for the Taiwanese people. We have a bond based on common values. We’re built of similar stuff – tough, honest, hardworking, creative, independent. We are both founded on the belief that there is no prosperity without freedom.

Today, I am here not only as “Taiwan’s number #1 friend,” as Ambassador Bi-khim Hsiao (shau) affectionately dubbed me, but also to represent the Global Tech Security Commission and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue.
As chairman of both, we have the same North Star – technology must advance freedom.

During my last visit to Taiwan, I was running U.S. economic diplomacy as Under Secretary of State. My mission was to develop a Global Economic Security Strategy to foster growth, strengthen global security, and counter authoritarian aggression. We placed Taiwan at the heart of that strategy for three distinct reasons:
First, Taiwan is a shining beacon of democracy and an embodiment of liberty that inspires nations far beyond its borders.
Second, Taiwan’s remarkable achievements in technological innovation stand as a testament to what a free society can accomplish.
Third, Taiwan is a true friend of the United States and an indispensable partner in advancing freedom.
I’m proud of my team’s work to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan ties and the genuine friendship between our people.
We welcomed Taiwan into the Clean Network Alliance of Democracies;
Established the Lee Economic Prosperity Partnership and a continuing dialogue; Concluded the Taiwan-US Science and Technology Agreement;
Brought a state-of-the-art TSMC fab to the United States; And laid the foundation for a future Free Trade Agreement. A U.S.-Taiwan FTA is long overdue.
I am glad to hear about the progress to that goal with the recent signing of the trade initiative two days ago.

The final validation of our efforts came just four minutes after my term ended, when my family and I were sanctioned by the Chinese government.
I wear those sanctions as a badge of honor.

The question is why the Chinese Communist Party so threatened by Taiwan? I believe it’s because a free and prosperous Taiwan shatters Xi Jinping’s myth that Chinese culture cannot thrive as a democracy.
But it does. And as you’ve said before, Madam President, Taiwan’s freedom is non-negotiable.

And Taiwan is not alone. The American people – and free people everywhere – stand with you. Not just because democracies have each other’s back, as we are now witnessing in Ukraine, but because it’s in the US and rest of the world’s economic, technological, scientific, and national security interests.

Madam President, I am proud to say we have continued our diplomatic mission. But this time from the private sector.
About a year ago, we established the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University. The Institute combines technological expertise, Silicon Valley strategies, and foreign policy tools to accelerate the innovation and adoption of trusted technology –
All this is based on the Trust Doctrine. Which is what we used to build the Clean network Alliance.

That’s why Congress tasked the Krach Institute with leading the Global Tech Security Commission. It brings together senior public- and private-sector leaders from the U.S. and our closest allies to create the definitive Global Tech Security Strategy. The mission is to ensure technology serves humanity and isn’t weaponized against us by authoritarian regimes.
I am thrilled that Taiwan’s Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey TONG represents Taiwan as one of the commissioners.

Without a strong, resilient, free Taiwan, freedom everywhere will be imperiled by authoritarianism.
No one knows that better than the people of Taiwan and no one has championed Taiwan as a force for good, better than you, President Tsai.

As I mentioned earlier, our North Star at the Krach Institute is technology must advance freedom. Under your direction, Taiwan has certainly done that.

So, in recognition for your exemplary leadership in the realm of Tech Diplomacy and your steadfast commitment to advancing the cause of freedom for all, And on behalf of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue and freedom-loving people everywhere
we proudly bestow upon you the Tech Freedom Award.

May our partnership continue to flourish and inspire the world.
God bless you and the people of Taiwan.
We salute you, admire you, and honor you with the Tech Freedom Award.