This is further evidence of Washington’s desire to draw closer to Taipei, particularly after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island in early August.
The United States and Taiwan will begin formal negotiations for a trade and investment deal this fall, the US Trade Representative’s office said Wednesday, a new step to strengthen their ties amid heightened tensions with China. These discussions are part of an initiative announced in June that led to a first meeting that same month.
In addition to developing trade and investment, the talks will also look at responses to “market-unfriendly policies and methods,” said U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s office, which could be construed as a reference to China.
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The formal start of these new talks is further evidence of the United States’ desire to draw closer to Taiwan, which is already a key trading partner.
Already an informal agreement between Taipei and Washington
In early August, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island, followed Monday by a group of US lawmakers. Chinese authorities viewed the Democrat leader’s visit to the lower house as a provocation and responded with trade sanctions against Taiwan and military maneuvers near the island. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes the self-governing democracy being considered an independent nation.
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Taipei and Washington have been linked since 1994 by a trade and investment “framework” that is not a formal agreement. A trade deal will “bolster trade and investment” and “foster innovation and inclusive economic growth for our workers and businesses,” said Sarah Bianchi, assistant US trade representative.
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