Beijing has always been against any ties between the island and other countries, as it considers it part of its territory; agreements include several areas, such as: agriculture and reduction or elimination of import tariffs
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu shaking hands with US Senator Ed Markey during a meeting in Taipei
United States and Taiwan took another step in their alliance and one more reason to irritate China this Thursday, the 18th, by announcing that they will start trade negotiations in the autumn (spring in Brazil). “We welcome this opportunity to deepen economic collaboration between the two freedom-loving countries,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Twitter. “Negotiations will include a number of areas, such as agriculture, digital commerce and the reduction or elimination of import tariffs,” the Office of the United States Trade Representative said in a statement. In addition to trade and investment development, the issue of responses to “anti-market policies and methods” will also be addressed, announced the office of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. First official meetings are scheduled for September. Beijing has commented on this decision. “THE China has always been against any negotiation between any country and the Chinese region of Taiwan,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Shu Jueting. Taiwan is a global producer and supplier of the most advanced semiconductors, used in various fields, from smartphones to computers, through automobiles or missiles, and a total of 42% of Taiwanese exports go to China and Hong Kong, while only 15% follow for the United States, according to 2021 data.
This decision comes at a time of military, diplomatic and economic coercion by China, which earlier this month carried out major air and sea maneuvers for several days in the Taiwan Strait, in response to a visit by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taipei. Two weeks after these maneuvers, an American delegation landed on the island this week, which made China continue the activities that will remain throughout the time they are in Taiwan. For Americans, this is an attempt at an intensified pressure campaign to intimidate and pressure Taiwan and undermine its resistance,” said Daniel Kritenbrink, Washington’s East Asia envoy. “Words and actions are deeply destabilizing. They risk causing a miscalculation and threatening stability in the Taiwan Strait,” added Kritenbrink. The diplomat said he believed the pressure on the Taiwanese government would continue in the coming weeks and months. Taiwan lives under the constant threat of a Chinese invasion, which considers the island part of its territory and which could even be occupied by force if necessary.
*With information from AFP
Source: Jovempan
I am an author at Global happenings and I mostly cover automobile news. In my time working in the automotive industry, I have developed a keen interest in the latest developments and trends. My writing skills have also allowed me to share my knowledge with others through articles and blog posts.
