Taiwan hails economic talks with US. But it’s not the trade deal it wants
- The two parties agree to work together on areas from 5G communications to strengthening supply chains
- But there are still no signs from the next US administration that it would be willing to go that one step further
The framework agreement was signed at an inaugural economic dialogue on Friday between Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the United States and the US State Department’s American Institute in Taiwan.
The document highlighted key areas of cooperation, including 5G communications, semiconductors, infrastructure and the Indo-Pacific. But it stopped short of mentioning a free-trade deal long sought by Taipei.
On Saturday night, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the dialogue “strengthens our economic relationship even further”, while Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu described it as “another great step forward in a relationship going from strength to strength”.
Under the framework, the two parties will have annual economic talks, as well as seek further cooperation in science and technology, strengthening supply chains, protecting their economies from foreign interference, advancing global health security and promoting women’s economic empowerment.
