Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Faces Budget Hurdles for US Ad Campaign Against 'Chip Thief' Remark
Quick Look
- Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lacks the budget for advertising in US mainstream media to counter former President Trump's "chip thief" remarks about Taiwan.
- While acknowledging the need to clarify Taiwan's role in the supply chain, he noted that a previous budget for media outreach was cut, and current funds are insufficient.
- He did mention that many US newspapers have published editorials defending Taiwan.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Former US President Trump referred to Taiwan as a "chip thief." This statement has prompted a response from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which considers the remark unfair and inaccurate, emphasizing the symbiotic partnership between Taiwan and the US in the semiconductor industry.
美國總統川普稱台灣為「晶片小偷」，國民黨立委賴士葆今（25）日質詢建議，外交部應去美國主流報紙刊登廣告抗議。
對此，外交部長林佳龍表示，外交部目前沒有媒宣費，刊登廣告會有困難。
立法院外交及國防委員會今日邀請外交部長林佳龍、國家安全局長蔡明彥報告「美中元首峰會後地緣政治新局對我國外交及總體國家安全之衝擊評估與因應」。多名國民黨立委質詢關切川普稱台為「晶片小偷」。
林佳龍表示，「這個（晶片小偷）是不公允的說法，也是我們要澄清的說法」，台美是不可或缺的共生夥伴關係，互惠雙贏，且台灣在供應鏈中佔有最重要角色。台灣不承認「晶片小偷」的說法。
賴士葆質詢建議，對於川普稱台為「晶片小偷」的說法，外交部可編預算至美國主流媒體登報反駁。林佳龍答覆表示，「委員如果有這樣的建議，我們來研究」，怎麼樣在美國報紙用英文表達台灣政府的立場。不過，外交部目前沒有媒宣費，會有困難。
但林佳龍也指出，許多美國主流報紙已經以社論替台發聲，反駁川普說法。
北美司司長王良玉說明，因為去年的預算被刪除，今年的預算尚未通過，目前只能按照去年的預算執行。
國民黨立委王鴻薇說，外交部被刪的媒宣費僅有國內媒宣費，立法院編給外交部非常多的國際媒宣費，事實上，經協調後，外交部的媒宣費預算比其他部會更多。
據了解，外交部114年度媒宣費僅國際傳播司保留，地域司北美司媒宣費預算被悉數刪除。
Open Questions
- Will Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs find alternative ways to counter Trump's remarks?
- What is the specific impact of Trump's remarks on US-Taiwan relations?
- How will the budget cuts affect Taiwan's international media outreach capabilities?
- Will US mainstream media continue to publish editorials defending Taiwan?
