The Biden administration on Wednesday said it would begin formal trade talks with Taiwan this fall after weeks of tensions over China’s claimed island democracy.
The announcement marks a step toward a deal that would deepen economic and technological ties between the United States and Taiwan after initial talks were announced in June. It has gotten significantly worse, with two delegations of US lawmakers visiting Taiwan this month, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Beijing sees the island as an undisputed part of its territory and has responded by stepping up military exercises and firing missiles into the waters around Taiwan. The United States, meanwhile, has accused China of using the visit as a pretext to step up its intimidation campaign against Taiwan and vowed to maintain its own military operations in the region.
Negotiations for this agreement, dubbed the US-Taiwan Initiative for 21st Century Trade, will focus on: 11 trade zonesthe Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced, including expanding trade in agricultural and digital industries, raising labor and environmental standards, and strengthening trade among small businesses.
The government also said it would combat market distortions caused by state-owned enterprises, as well as non-market policies and practices.
U.S.-Taiwan trade initiatives are negotiated by the American Institute of Taiwan, the unofficial U.S. embassy in Taipei, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office of the United States, which represents Taiwan in Washington in the absence of diplomatic approval.
The Biden administration is in separate trade talks with 13 Asian countries to reach an agreement known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Taiwan has expressed interest in participating in these talks, but has not been asked to participate because its status is contested.
At Wednesday’s briefing, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Krittenbrink defended what he called an “ambitious roadmap for trade negotiations” with Taiwan.
“We will continue to deliver on our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act,” he said. “This includes supporting Taiwan’s self-defense and preserving our own ability to resist resorting to force or other forms of coercion that could endanger Taiwan’s security. We will deepen our relationship with Taiwan, including continuing to advance our economic and trade ties in line with our One China policy. ”
Austin Ramsey contributed to the report.