US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US may restart trade talks with Taiwan. The talks have been stalled since 2016.
At a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Monday, Blinken was asked about the administration’s position on a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan. Blinken said, “I’d have to refer you to Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative but I know we are engaged in conversations with Taiwan, or soon will be, on some kind of framework agreement, and those conversations should be starting."
Regarding upcoming bilateral talks, the US Trade Representative Office said it’s important to strengthen trade ties with Taiwan but did not confirm any meetings.
Premier Su Tseng-chang told the media on Tuesday that the government is looking forward to better ties between the two sides.
The premier also thanked the United States for its show of support for Taiwan since President Joe Biden took office. Su said under President Tsai Ing-wen’s leadership, Taiwan’s diplomatic ties with other countries have been growing stronger.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry said it will continue pushing for the resumption of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks with the United States. TIFA talks were first held in 1995 to promote trade ties.