2021-06-30
DPP: Resumption of TIFA Talks is Important in Deepening the Relationship between Taiwan and the U.S.
Regarding the resumption of the 11th Taiwan-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meeting, DPP Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh stated today (30th) that TIFA is the most formal platform for economic and trade negotiations between Taiwan and the US. The resumption of the TIFA meeting shows that Taiwan and the US have taken an important step, and the DPP welcomes and looks forward to furthering progress.
Spokesperson Hsieh recalled that the last Taiwan-US TIFA meeting was held in 2016 when President Tsai Ing-wen first took office. Now, thanks to the efforts of diplomatic and trade negotiators from both governments, the restart of the negotiations after five years is a significant step for Taiwan and the US and is also helpful for Taiwan’s overall economic development after the pandemic. This proves that the Biden administration attaches the same importance to the development of the Taiwan-US economy and trade as Trump, and the opposition parties’ previous criticism of President Tsai’s administration for “betting on the wrong horse” is baseless.
Spokesperson Hsieh said that the resumption of the TIFA trade dialogue at this time would help Taiwan gain a more critical position in restructuring the global supply chain. Coupled with the US-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue launch last year, Taiwan and the US will deepen bilateral cooperation in all aspects. The two countries will build goodwill and trust, which will become the driving force for future BTA negotiations.
Spokesperson Hsieh further stated that trade negotiations are time-consuming according to the experience of the US and other countries. It took years for the US to negotiate with Korea and Japan. Similarly, it will take time to negotiate and sign a BTA between the US and Taiwan. However, this resumption of talks will lead to more negotiations in the future and help with Taiwan’s overall economic development after the pandemic.
Spokesperson Hsieh emphasized that the exchanges between Taiwan and the US are not just about diplomacy and defense, but economics and trade are equally critical. The resumption of TIFA talks will help deepen the relationship between the two countries. If the negotiations are successful, they will even benefit the economic negotiations between Taiwan and other countries. At the same time, the DPP government will continue to communicate and interact with the US on regional security, economy and trade, and epidemic prevention.
