President Tsai Ing-wen is seeking US support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).
On Friday, Tsai spoke with visiting US official Matthew J. Matthews about why Taiwan is keen on joining the US-led trade block.
“Taiwan is more than willing to join the [TPP], and the necessity is very strong as our trade volume with TPP’s twelve current members accounts for 37% of our foreign trade," said Tsai.
"Therefore, TPP membership will greatly help boost Taiwan’s competitiveness in international trade. [I] hope Washington will take more concrete steps by helping us to participate in the second round of talks, so that our goal of joining TPP can be reached.”
Tsai said that in addition to their strategic partnership, the US and Taiwan have close trade ties. She told Matthews that a large Taiwanese delegation is set to attend the third Select USA Investment Summit in Washington next week.