US and Taiwanese trade negotiators met in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday for the first round of talks over a new free trade agreement. Taiwan’s trade negotiation office on Thursday said both sides discussed a broad set of topics.
The Taiwanese team is led by chief negotiator John Deng. The trade office says the talks mostly focused on differences and similarities between the two countries’ legal systems. Both sides also discussed views on how to maintain a favorable business environment in the two countries.
The office says the meeting’s results were positive and constructive towards pushing forward the trade initiative. It adds that both sides agreed to continue discussions to reach fruitful results as soon as possible.
Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-chen (羅秉成) says the talks will help Taiwan and the United States’ economic and trade relationship. He says a possible trade agreement between both sides could also help Taiwan join international trade organizations.