BEIJING: In an apparent attempt to compete with mainland China, the US government announced on Wednesday that it has signed bilateral trade agreements designed to reduce red tape, harmonize labor standards and thwart anti-market practices. But talks with Taiwan have started.
The first round of talks to "develop an ambitious road map for negotiations under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade" will begin in early fall, according to US Deputy Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi.
The talks will take place in cooperation with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington and the American Institute of Technology (AIT) in Taiwan, Washington's de facto embassy on the autonomous island (TECRO).
The declaration used language that seemed aimed at Beijing, when it said the agreement would deal with "significant distortions" brought about by state-owned businesses and damage caused by non-market practices and policies.
“As market-oriented economies, the US and Taiwan are aware of the damages that can be inflicted by trading partners who employ anti-market policies and practices that threaten livelihoods and harm both employees and businesses. .
The statement continued, "Both sides will endeavor to adopt provisions promoting cooperation on strategies to counter these harmful non-market policies and practices.
Fewer "border formalities," "paperless trade and advance electronic data submission," and cooperation between customs are just a few examples of the various elements that make up the trade facilitation section of the new bilateral framework.
The announcement follows US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei earlier this month, which began a round of live-fire military exercises by the People's Liberation Army that nearly engulfed the self-governing island, the announcement in one of the most tense periods. comes at the end of one. In Washington's relations with Beijing.
Beijing views Taiwan as a separatist territory that needs to be reunited, and most nations, including the US, do not recognize the autonomous island as a sovereign nation. However, Washington opposes any attempt to retake the island militarily.
Additionally, US and Taiwanese negotiators need to coordinate on trade laws, agricultural laws, anti-corruption strategies and digital trade facilitation standards, as well as labor and environmental standards.
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