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Taiwan

Taiwan actively seeks bilateral free trade agreements, though it is hampered in this effort by its status vis-a-vis China. It has FTAs already with Panama (2003), Guatemala (2005), Nicaragua (2006), El Salvador (2007) and Honduras (2007). It is negotiating with Dominican Republic and Paraguay. And it hopes to negotiate further deals with Costa Rica, Israel, Swaziland, Japan, the US of course, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Mexico. Taipei’s emphasis on Central American countries as FTA partners is to gain access to the US market under NAFTA and CAFTA. But now Taiwan is in talks with China for a possible FTA following the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between the two governments in 2010.

last update: May 2012
Photo: simonwai/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0


Taiwan, Singapore to open formal talks on trade deal
Taiwan and Singapore will begin formal negotiations on a free trade agreement early next year after completing feasibility studies, representatives of both governments announced in a joint press release Wednesday.
Taipei flops in trade-pact race
Barely six months ago, Taiwan’s industrialists were jubilant. The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which the island signed with mainland China, was celebrated as a blow against trade arch-rival South Korea.
Seminar on Taiwan-Indonesia collaboration opens in Jakarta
A second seminar on Taiwan-Indonesia collaboration opened in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta Tuesday to further explore bilateral ties on a wide front ranging from free trade agreements (FTAs) to challenges facing the media and technology sectors.
Taiwan in no hurry for FTA with EU
Taipei will continue to encourage the EU to negotiate with Taiwan on accords to reduce trade barriers and facilitate bilateral relationships, though its plate is full in discussing free-trade agreements (FTA) with several countries, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said yesterday.
EP member calls for EU to sign FTA with Taiwan
A senior member of the European Parliament is calling for the parliament to sign a free trade agreement with its fourth largest Asian trading partner Taiwan.
Pressure over farmers could stall trade deals: official
Political pressure to protect farmers will stall Taiwan’s dreams of signing free trade agreements (FTA) with Southeast Asia, setting back a piece of the island’s growth strategy, a senior official said.
Taiwan, Japan negotiating investment guarantee pact: minister
Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang confirmed Tuesday that Taiwan and Japan have started negotiations on a bilateral investment guarantee agreement to step up economic exchanges between the two countries.
Singapore FTA could be lavish feast
The proposed free trade (FTA) -like economic cooperation agreement with Singapore will not be a free lunch, but as long as Taiwan has the mettle to overhaul its economy, the deal could be a sumptuous feast.
Philippines does not rule out free trade pact with Taiwan
The Philippine government will not rule out the possibility of negotiating a free trade package with Taiwan, even though it only officially recognizes China under its "one-China" policy, a senior Philippine trade official said Friday.
New challenges in Taiwan-Singapore FTA talks
Taiwan and Singapore announced a plan last week to explore the feasibility of a bilateral economic cooperation agreement on a par with a free trade agreement (FTA).