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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


US welcomes Taiwan membership in TPP if island fulfills criteria: diplomat
The United States would welcome Taiwan’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership as long as it meets the high standards set by TPP members, Taipei’s diplomat to Washington was cited as saying yesterday.
Taiwan should learn from South Korea’s TPP strategy
Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, has recently turned aggressive in seeking to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks and could learn from Korea’s strategy.
Envoy calls for free trade pact between Taiwan and Malaysia
The Republic of China representative to Malaysia called on the Malaysian government to consider signing an economic cooperation agreement with Taiwan.
Taiwan beefs up regional defences with 2nd phase of free trade zone
Taiwan is building up a free trade zone to counter the threat of being marginalised in the wake of trade deals being negotiated by major economies and regional Asian neighbours (TPP and RCEP).
Former vice president to push Taiwan’s TPP bid in Washington
Former Vice President Vincent Siew will lead a business delegation on a visit to the United States later this month to drum up support for Taiwan’s efforts to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), according to Taipei’s representative office in the U.S Wednesday.
ASTEP increases bilateral investment, trade: minister
The economic partnership agreement between Taiwan and Singapore inked yesterday is likely to benefit manufacturing as well as to promote bilateral investment and trade, Economic Affairs Minister Chang Chia-juch (張家祝) said yesterday.
Taiwan, Singapore sign free-trade pact
Taiwan yesterday signed a far-reaching free-trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore — the first of its kind with a Southeast Asian country — in a move the government said would boost the nation’s efforts to pursue further economic engagement with trading partners bilaterally and multilaterally.
Ma praises Taiwan-NZ economic cooperation pact
ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said July 16 that the recently concluded Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC) will further boost bilateral trade and strengthen the nation’s regional economic integration prospects.
Vice economics minister calls for new procedures in FTA talks
Vice Economic Affairs Minister Cho Shih-chao agreed Monday with suggestions that a set of standard operating procedures be established in negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) to strike a balance between confidentiality and open information.
President Ma reiterates hope to join TPP and RCEP
President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday reiterated the administration’s hope to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), in order to allow Taiwan to effectively take part in regional economic integration.