[1][2] The next year, he began working for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and served as trade representative to Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Canada.
Lin assumed the leadership of the Board of Foreign Trade in 1995, serving two years until his appointment as administrative deputy minister of economic affairs.
[1] Lin was succeeded by Ho Mei-yueh in Chen Shui-bian's second term, but accepted an offer to stay on in the Executive Yuan as minister without portfolio in May.
[6][7] After taking office, he repeatedly called for the government to increase its participation in WTO initiatives,[8][9] and for the United States to sign a free trade agreement with Taiwan.
[12] Lin later became a board member of various Taiwanese companies, including Nan Ya Plastics, Taishin Financial Holdings, and Swissray Global Healthcare.