US-Taiwan trade negotiations should be updated ‘soon’, White House official says
- US Trade Representative Katherine Tai tells a Commerce Department conference that talks on the proposed US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century are progressing
- Provisions are largely the same as those in the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which is also being negotiated
US President Joe Biden’s top trade official said on Wednesday that an update on a Washington-Taipei trade facilitation initiative should be expected “soon” and touted the administration’s efforts to reduce reliance on “certain countries” for critical minerals – an apparent reference to mainland China.
Speaking at the US Commerce Department’s annual SelectUSA investment conference, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said: “Kenya and Taiwan are two vibrant partners in important regions that share our values, and we hope to announce updates on our negotiations soon.”
Proposals laid out by the trade representative’s office in its most recent talks in Taipei include the posting of customs forms online; acceptance of electronic payments for duties and other trade-related fees; anti-corruption measures modelled on those in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement; and measures meant to make it easier for smaller companies to participate in bilateral trade.
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The Biden administration’s work on the agreement with Taipei is one of a number of initiatives to reduce US reliance on mainland China and counter Beijing’s growing economic influence.
Provisions in the initiative are largely the same as those in the administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The US chose not to invite Taiwan to join the framework to bring other countries, mostly in Southeast Asia, on board.