May 7, 2000 --- To: Chen-Shui-bian, Annette Lu, Cris Patten, Romano Prodi

[ Up ]

Dear Mr. Chen Shui-Bian,
　　 Mrs Annete Lu,
　　 Mr. Chris Patten,
　　 Mr. Romano Prodi,　

Taiwan’s situation in the world is well known. It is an island that Beijing tries to isolate, since they say it is part of their big land. In other words, it is a rebellious province that has to be got back by the motherland. United States gave a lot of help to both sides of the Strait so as to solve this conflict. According to the Taiwan Relations Act they also decided to provide Taiwan with weapons and assistance if their is any need.

But it seems that the reality has changed probably because of geo-strategic reasons. Indeed, how to help a small island without being criticized by Mainland, and on the opposite how to help the big land without unsatisfying the small one? That’s why nowadays U.S.A’s relations with Taiwan are mainly deserved for business. At the same time, European Union has also been increasing its exchanges with the island.

Taiwanese are so much pleased to discover some European products, among them French and German. They are so much enthusiastic to buy in some stores like FNAC, Decathlon, or in some supermarkets such as Carrefour. French and Taiwanese mentalities are quite close and their experience to produce some goods completes each other.

Meanwhile U.S.A are complaining about their trade deficit and trying to (over)tax some imported products, some countries want to increase their relations with E.U. They don’t think that negotiations would be easier with you, but more fair. Let think about something you know well, as you tried to negotiate one month ago with some picky Chinese: cell phones and telecommunications. In the countries where production and consumption of such products is increasing highly, E.U and Taiwan deserve to exchange more.

Indeed, it seems that Taiwanese and European economies are complementary. They might be more interconnected so as to give more strength to both regions of the world that sometimes suffer of American leadership. Very soon your new currency, Euro, is going to be stronger and more stable while used everyday by all the European citizens. At that time, U.S dollar won be overvalued and it won influence so much directly the other currencies all over the world. Finally, it means that Europe will be on an equal footing with U.S.A to discuss its views about Asian international affairs. You even might be in a better position if the negotiations for the trade with China change in the way you want and if we start thinking of exchanging more, why not so as to sign some trade agreements.

We would be very happy if you could meet our leaders to whom we communicated our economical and relational views.