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Published Date: 2016-12-12
President Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan is hoping to sign a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. Her comments came Monday while meeting with visiting US official Matthew J. Matthews.
Matthews is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He is also the United States’ Ambassador to APEC.
Tsai said no comprehensive free trade agreement in the Asia Pacific region or cross regional economic integration should exclude Taiwan. She also spoke about Taiwan’s determination to be part of regional trade blocs.
“Although the future of the Trans Pacific Partnership remains uncertain, it is the government’s responsibility to be well-prepared. We will continue pushing for economic reforms and adjust rules and regulations so as to lay a solid foundation for overall economic industry reform. We also hope that the United States can understand our determination to push for multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements, to join regional economic integration, and that they can support [us] by signing a bilateral investment agreement as well as a free trade agreement," said Tsai.
Matthews said Washington will continue its support for Taiwan and that there is plenty of room for cooperation.