Trade deepens links to TaiwanBy Hong Tsun-ming 康駿銘The US Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed legislation affirming its support for the initial trade agreement reached under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade. It also aims to improve collaboration through annual trade talks, tackle barriers to trade and promote UK expertise, and in this way taking advantage of increasing commercial opportunities with the deepening of the UK-Taiwan relationship. Since the UK has become a member of the CPTPP, the trade talks between the two can also give Taiwan an edge in joining the CPTPP. The US’ and the UK’s increasing cooperation with Taiwan on trade is not only benefiting all parties economically, but, more importantly, it catalyzes Taiwan to establish closer ties with the global community. However, China, which continues to claim sovereignty over Taiwan, expressed anger about the initiatives that could bring Taiwan substantial benefits, stating that: “Under the disguise of trade cooperation, the so-called ‘Initiative’ is just a US tool to rip Taiwan off.

Source: Taipei Times July 28, 2023 21:39 UTC