Pompeo called for freedom-seeking countries to "strategically decouple" from China, and Taiwan and the United States should continue to cooperate with Southeast Asia.

(Photo by reporter Li Huizhou)

[Reporter Xu Ziling/Taipei Report] Former US Secretary of State Pompeo visited Taiwan for the second time. In his speech in Kaohsiung today, he said that China does not respect the rule of law and steals intellectual property rights. Countries that pursue freedom should "strategically decouple" from China. More should continue to cooperate with Southeast Asia.

The first "Global Taiwan Business Forum" hosted by the Liberty Times was held in Kaohsiung this morning. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was invited to give a speech entitled "Seeing Taiwan's Post-pandemic New Business Opportunities from World Economic and Trade Trends"20 Within minutes of the speech, Chinese Vice President Lai Qingde also delivered a speech.

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Pompeo affirmed that Taiwan is a free and innovative society with the rule of law, free markets and democracy, and a shared love of freedom that strengthens the economic relationship between the two sides.

He emphasized that "no matter who is in power, bilateral trade and economic cooperation will continue to develop", which is the future trend.

Pompeo also criticized China, saying that if a country does not respect the rule of law, steal intellectual property rights, and abuse workers, there can be no free trade at all.

Taiwan is a counter-example to China. Taiwan respects these values ​​and is a model of free trade.

He suggested that freedom-seeking countries should continue to "strategic decoupling" with China.

Pompeo mentioned the importance of Southeast Asia in his speech.

Many people in Taiwan understand the business opportunities in Southeast Asia, and the risks posed by China have also made Asia-Pacific neighbors rethink their relationships, he said.

Taiwan and the United States should continue to cooperate with Southeast Asia. These are the "historic changes" we have seen in global trade and international security.

Pompeo pointed out, "We all know that the epidemic came from Wuhan." Now that countries are finally getting rid of the epidemic through collective strength, countries that implement reforms will be able to achieve rapid economic growth, and this growth is different from the past: in the past, manufacturing Products are exported to China in exchange for cheap consumer goods, and now it is through other regions, especially Southeast Asia, to grow the economy.

Pompeo urged that if we want to create a free 21st century, not the "China century" that Xi Jinping aspires to, the blind and outdated associations with China in the past should not continue.

The United States should use a more realistic attitude to engage with China and interact more enthusiastically with Taiwan.

Such a decision also changes U.S. policy on national security and global trade.

Pompeo said the U.S. began imposing tariffs on Chinese imports, while being careful not to affect consumers or disrupt supply chains, and to impose export controls on top semiconductors.

Rather than the immediate trade impact, he thinks this is more of a signal: The economic situation that has been favorable to China over the past 20 years is changing!

Pompeo said such changes would continue and would benefit both Taiwan and the United States.

Taiwan and the United States will always share this important relationship, and we hope that the two sides can continue to promote economic, trade and security relations.

Pompeo served as the 70th Secretary of State of the United States during the Trump administration from 2018 to 2021. He has a clear stand in support of Taiwan, and even lifted the long-standing restrictions on exchanges between Taiwan and the United States on the eve of leaving office.

Pompeo visited Taiwan for the first time in early March this year. He met with President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei. In his public speech, he called on the United States to recognize Taiwan diplomatically. He revisited it in just half a year, showing the degree of love for Taiwan.

Pompeo graduated from West Point Military Academy and obtained a doctorate in law from Harvard University. He became the leader of several companies, and then entered the government system. He successively served as a federal congressman, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and secretary of state. Distinguished Fellow of the Institute, with expertise spanning the military, diplomacy and law.