The United States and Taiwan will start formal talks on trade and economic
initiative, following through on a long-planned promise to deepen ties amid
opposition from China
The first round of talks are expected to begin in “early fall”, said the Office of US
Trade Representative.
Their discussion will include talks on trade facilitation, digital trade and anti-
corruption standards.
Relations between the US and China have been increasingly tense following Ms
Pelosi’s visit.
The US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade was first unveiled in June, with both
sides now saying they had “reached consensus on the negotiating mandate”.
Read Also:Taiwan: Nancy Pelosi meets President Tsai to Beijing’s fury
“We plan to pursue an ambitious schedule…. that will help build a fairer, more
prosperous and resilient 21st century economy,” said Deputy United States Trade
Representative Sarah Bianchi in a statement.
Trade between the two countries was worth nearly $106bn (£88bn) in 2020.
The announcement comes as China launched its largest-ever military exercises
around Taiwan after Ms Pelosi’s visit earlier in August.
Under the “One China policy”, the US recognises and has formal ties with China
rather than the island but maintains a “robust unofficial” relationship with
Taiwan, including continued arms sales to the island so that it can defend itself.
Beijing sees the self-governing island as its own, renegade territory that must be
united with the mainland.
However, Taiwan is a self-ruled island that sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
Seperately on Thursday, top US diplomat for East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink said
Beijing’s “growing coercion….threatens the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait”.
“We will continue to take calm, but resolute steps to uphold peace and stability in the
face of Beijing’s ongoing efforts to undermine it and to support Taiwan in line with
our long-standing policy,” he said.
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