US-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks concluded on Monday. The TPP is a regional trade pact involving several Pacific Rim countries and covers about 40 percent of the world economy.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that such an agreement will spur economic integration and trade in the Asia Pacific region. Foreign Minister David Lin said Taiwan wants to join the TPP.
Lin said, “We certainly hope that we can join the second round of the TPP negotiations. In the future, the TPP will be open to APEC members. [Joining the TPP] is still our goal. The APEC Leaders’ Summit is set for November 18. Before that will be the two ministerial meetings. We will work towards that goal.”
Taiwan welcomes the trade pact and calls for the participating countries to help new members join the trade bloc to expand the benefits of the agreement.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Eleanor Wang said the ministry will work with the economics ministry to reach a consensus on Taiwan joining the TPP. At the same time, Taiwan will seek the support of foreign countries for Taiwan to join the TPP as soon as possible.