Advertisement
Taiwan negotiator confident of free-trade deal with US – eventually
- John Deng says island under no illusions about how long it will take but it will happen
- When conditions are right, success will flow, he says
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
Taiwan is under no illusions it can quickly sign a long hoped for free trade deal with the United States but feels when the time is right “success will flow naturally”, the island’s chief trade negotiator said on Friday.
Taiwan has long sought a bilateral trade deal with the United States, the island’s most important international backer and supplier of arms.
Last year, the government lifted a ban on the import of pork containing a leanness-enhancing additive called ractopamine, removing a major stumbling block to an agreement with Washington.
Advertisement
But US President Joe Biden has only just assumed office, and his nominee for treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, told US lawmakers this week they would prioritise domestic investment in workers and infrastructure before embarking on any new free-trade agreements.
Minister without portfolio John Deng, who leads trade talks, said Taipei well knew that for the United States to sign free-trade agreements with anyone was a major issue, especially with a new government in office.
Advertisement
“We absolutely understand US politics and we do not have any unrealistic fantasies,” he said. “The new government has its priorities and of course we need to understand that.”
But Deng said he was confident a deal would happen eventually, pointing to the pork decision and support for an agreement among US lawmakers.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x