Taiwan signals US trade talks breakthrough, hopeful of ‘early harvest’ amid China tensions
- Talks over the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade began in August following the controversial visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- Hsiao Chen-jung, executive secretary of Taiwan’s cabinet-level Office of Trade Negotiations, says the two sides have ‘been talking to each other steadily’
Taiwan is hopeful of signing an “early harvest” of trade liberalisation measures with the United States before the end of the year amid the ongoing tensions both Taipei and Washington are experiencing with mainland China.
It is hoped the breakthrough will lead towards a deeper agreement that the self-ruled island has sought with its second-largest trade partner and long-time political backer since the 1990s.
Some of these measures we’ve discussed to a very mature point
“Some of these measures we’ve discussed to a very mature point,” Hsiao told the Post, calling a 2022 early harvest “our hope” with prospects for a full deal by the end of next year.
“We’ve been talking to each other steadily, through every means.”
Taiwan’s deputy trade representative, Yang Jen-ni, echoed the hope for an “early harvest list” when asked by lawmakers to comment on the latest progress of the talks on Monday, according to reports from the state-funded Central News Agency.
Yang added that Taiwan and the US are still in talks over a time and location to hold the first round of meetings.
So-called early harvests normally liberalise some trade between parties as a way to build trust toward reaching deeper agreements.