Taiwan’s foreign ministry says the United States has openly expressed its support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP is a US-led trade bloc now under negotiation among a dozen countries.
The foreign ministry said on Saturday that two US Department of State officials welcomed Taiwan’s TPP bid in congressional hearings.
One official was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kin Moy. He said in mid-March that strengthening relations with Taiwan is a key element in the US rebalancing towards Asia. He also said openly for the first time that the US welcomes Taiwan’s participation in the TPP.
The foreign ministry said the two Department of State officials all recognize the close and friendly relations between Taiwan and the US. It also said that the ministry will continue to strengthen bilateral ties.