The US and Taiwan will hold a new round of talks on their trade agreement of the “21st century”, which will begin on Monday in Taipei. This was reported by Reuters, citing the office of the US Trade Representative on Friday.
The negotiations led by the Office and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Mission to the United States, expected to discuss more complex areas in their negotiating mandate that have not yet been agreed in previous rounds of negotiations, including agriculture, labor, digital trade, environment, and state-owned enterprises.
Trade talks are not expected to change tariffs on goods, but supporters say the pact would strengthen U.S.-Taiwan economic ties, open the island to more U.S. exports and increase Taiwan’s ability to resist economic coercion from China.
Beijing condemned the trade talks, as it does with all forms of high-level engagement between the United States and Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its territory. Taiwan strongly rejects China’s sovereignty claims, which Beijing attempts to impose on Taipei through increased military action around the island.
Negotiations are conducted in accordance with the policy of The United States for One China and the Taiwan Relations Act, which obligates Washington to help provide Taiwan with remedies.
China fumes and Taiwan gloats over US military aid
Beijing has called on Washington to stop selling arms to Taipei
Trade negotiations are underway and amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait ahead of the May 20 inauguration of newly elected Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing considers a dangerous separatist.
In June 2023, the US and Taiwan signed an agreement on the first part of the US-Taiwan 21st Century Trade Initiative, covering customs and border procedures, anti-corruption regulatory practices and small business.
The Customs Agreement, which enables electronic submission of Taiwan customs forms and duty payments, is aimed at reducing red tape for US exports to Taiwan.
Taiwan asks US how to use new military aid
The package showed Washington’s “solid” support for Taipei
The US negotiating team will be led by Terry McCartin, Assistant US Trade Representative for China, Mongolia and Taiwan, and will include representatives from other US government agencies.
