President Ma Ying-jeou is calling on the European Union (EU) to sign a trade pact with Taiwan. Ma was speaking Tuesday with the head of the European Economic and Trade Office, Madeleine Majorenko.
Ma said given that the EU has been working hard to strengthen its trade ties with Asia in recent years, Taiwan should not be left out.
“We should consider doing research on the possibility of [Taiwan’s] case," said Ma.
"When we have results, we can do a feasibility case study together. [We] can hold talks soon if [we] are well-prepared and a final decision is made.”
Ma said a study conducted by a Denmark-based think tank shows that the EU’s trade volume will rise to 10 billion euros if it signs a trade pact with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s manufacturing and hotel industries have invested in the EU. Ma said the private sector is moving faster than the government, and an agreement would strengthen these business ties.
The EU has signed a free trade agreement with South Korea and concluded trade talks with Singapore. Currently, trade negotiations between EU and other Asian countries like Japan, Vietnam, India and China are under way.