The 2025 European Innovation Week (EIW) opened in Taipei this Tuesday and will take place through Thursday. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) referred to the EIW as an important platform for bilateral cooperation that provides a strong foundation for Taiwan-EU cooperation in semiconductors, green energy, and renewable energy. 

Taiwan’s Economic Ministry and the European Economic and Trade Office (EEAS) are jointly hosting the event. The premier joined Economic Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫), EEAS Head Lutz Güllner, and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Hubert Gambs at Tuesday evening’s reception.

Cho emphasized that EU Innovation Week is the most influential long-term cooperation platform between Taiwan and the EU. With over US$63.8 billion in investment, he highlighted the EU is Taiwan’s largest foreign investor. Taiwanese companies are also expanding into Europe; Kung emphasized recent investments by TSMC, Foxconn, and GlobalWafers, as well as cooperation on offshore wind power projects.

Güllner said the EU is a reliable trading partner for Taiwan, with its investment already surpassing that of Japan and the U.S. He said business partnerships strengthen strategic alliances and build resilient, innovative supply chains. Gambs added that in turbulent times, it is crucial to find smart and long-term partners. Both sides recognize the vital role of small and medium-sized enterprises in economic growth, and the EU has brought 18 SME clusters to Taiwan to explore cooperation in areas like the circular economy, recycled plastics, robotics, and drones.