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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


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).
Talk of the day — Taiwan’s next FTA target: ASEAN
Local society in general has hailed the imminent start of talks with Singapore on signing an economic cooperation agreement as a breakthrough for Taiwan in its pursuit of better foreign trade relations after decades of being overshadowed by China.
Taiwan targets Vietnam, Indonesia for trade pacts
Taiwan is eyeing Vietnam and Indonesia as potential free trade agreement (FTA) partners after announcing earlier this week that it had agreed with Singapore to explore the feasibility of a free trade deal, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said Saturday.
Taiwan starts talks with Japan on investment accord
Trade negotiators from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs have started talks with Japanese economic and trade officials with the aim of promoting economic and trade integration between the two countries
Taiwan to negotiate FTA with Singapore
It has been announced that Taiwan and Singapore will initiate talks later this year on the feasibility of signing a bilateral economic cooperation agreement under the framework of the World Trade Organization. It was said that the trade agreement would not be called an FTA in order to avoid giving any problem to China.