Taiwan

US, Taiwan Begin Formal Trade Talks

Published AUG 18 2022

Story

Image credit: Reuters

The Facts

After unveiling the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade in June, the two nations have agreed to begin talks to reach agreements with "economically meaningful outcomes," as well as discuss China's alleged "economic coercion."
Reuters
The talks - which are set to include issues such as trade faciliation, good regulatory practices, and barriers to trade - are reportedly part of a US effort to "deepen ties with Taiwan." However, Biden's coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region confirmed the US's stance on the One China principle hasn't changed.
FOX News
China reiterated its opposition to the new US-Taiwan initiative, saying "China will take resolute measures to uphold its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We advise the [US] stop making misjudgments."
Reuters
The announcement comes after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and another group of US lawmakers traveled to Taiwan, with both visits leading to China conducting military drills near the island.
FOX News
Amid the tension, analysts have warned that an escalation of China's military actions around Taiwan could disrupt global trade, as Taiwan is a global leader in supplying semiconductor chips, a vital component of virtually all modern electronics.
CNN
The first round of trade talks is scheduled for "early this fall."
Bloomberg.com

Sources Split

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The Spin

Anti-China narrative

This trade initiative is economic in nature and not a provocation by the US against China. The US government still recognizes China's legal and governmental sovereignty over Taiwan; any military response from Beijing would be an outlandish escalation on China's part.

wsj

Pro-China narrative

This latest move is yet another blatant challenge to the One China policy under the guise of trade cooperation. It's an attempt to limit the island's reliance on the Chinese mainland and expand its so-called international space - a direct threat to PRC sovereignty.

American Conservative