Pacific trade pact row between Beijing and Taipei a dilemma for members

Separate applications to join the CPTPP have erupted into a war of words and a demand that the 11 member states pick sides

The self-ruled island is proposing to join under the same formulation used for its World Trade Organization membership

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Trade ministers from 11 countries celebrate the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in Chile in 2018. Photo: AP

Teddy Ngin Hong KongandAmber Wangin Beijing

Published: 12:00pm, 24 Sep 2021Updated: 11:01pm, 24 Sep 2021

A new battleground has opened up between Beijing and Taipei, with an escalating war of words over their separate bids to join a trans-Pacific trade pact.

Beijing is calling on the 11 members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to oppose the self-ruled island’s application, a move Taipei has called the act of an arch bully.

Observers said the spat was a tricky dilemma for the 11 countries in the CPTPP, as support for Taipei could affect their economic ties with Beijing, which also applied to join the pact last week.

Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday that joining the CPTPP would reinforce Taiwan’s global trade status and build better connections with other nations. Taiwan had consulted with member nations of the pact, and made necessary legal amendments over recent years, she said.

“Now that everything is prepared. It is the best and most appropriate moment for us to join CPTPP.”

Taipei officially submitted its application on Wednesday to join the partnership as “the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei)” – the same title it uses in the World Trade Organization, of which Beijing is also a member.