President Ma Ying-jeou has asked Canada to support Taiwan’s ambition to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Ma was speaking Friday while meeting with a delegation of Canadian MP’s.
The TPP is a proposed free trade agreement between a number of countries bordering the Pacific Rim. Taiwan hopes to be included in TPP negotiations.
During the meeting, Ma also praised recent developments in Taiwan-Canada relations. Ma said that Canada has become a popular destination for young Taiwanese since Taiwan and Canada signed a working holiday agreement. He said that demand for Canadian working holiday visas far outstrips the 1,000 slots open to applicants every year.
Ma also said that the number of Taiwanese travelling to Canada has increased by 18% since Canada began allowing Taiwanese nationals to enter the country visa-free in 2010. The number of flights between Taiwan and Canada has also risen to keep up with demand. The number of weekly flights between the two countries has grown from 13 to 17, and that number is expected to grow to 21 next year.
Ma told the delegation that trade between Taiwan and Canada is worth 6 billion Canadian dollars or over US$5 billion every year. He said that Taiwan is Canada’s fourth largest trading partner in Asia and 11th largest trading partner in the world.
Ma also said that Taiwan and Canada have completed negotiations on an agreement to avoid double taxation of Taiwanese nationals living in Canada and vice versa. He said that he hopes the two countries will sign the agreement soon. He also said that he hopes Taiwan and Canada will sign an investment protection agreement and an economic cooperation agreement in the future.