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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


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.
Taiwan diplomat calls for FTAs with EU
Taiwan’s top envoy to the European Union and Belgium called Monday for a free trade agreement between Taiwan and the EU, saying that the ground has already been laid with the recent signing of a trade pact with China.
Taiwan may try to reach free trade accord with Singapore, negotiator says
“We also hope to sign FTA with countries in South East Asia and even Japan,” Taiwan’s top negotiator with China, Chiang Pin-kung, said.
U.S. recognizes Taiwan’s right to sign FTAs
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Shear said Wednesday that Taiwan, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) , is eligible to negotiate free trade agreements (FTA) with other WTO member states.
Taiwan has chance to sign FTAs with trading partners: president
Taiwan has a chance to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) or similar economic cooperation agreements with its trade partners after the signing of a trade pact with China, President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday.
Taiwan claims right to sign FTAs as WTO member
Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said yesterday that Taiwan, as a WTO member, has the right to seek free trade deals with as many countries as it chooses, a move recently strongly opposed by China.
Philippines, Singapore FTAs to follow ECFA: report
Taiwan has made strides in negotiating free trade agreements with the Philippines and Singapore, the United Evening News reported yesterday, citing an unnamed high-level source within the government.