US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce is urging US President Barack Obama’s administration to include Taiwan in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.
“I will continue to press the administration to make sure Taiwan is seriously considered for inclusion in this important trade agreement,” Royce said on Friday.
At a committee hearing the day before on advancing US economic interests in Asia, Royce questioned two senior US Department of State officials on the issue.
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Danny Russel said that both sides were working hard on a US-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and were looking closely at a Bilateral Investment Agreement.
Russel described Taiwan as the “kind of country” that would be in “serious consideration” to join the TPP in the future.
The 12 nations that hope to launch the TPP toward the end of this year are still negotiating the details of the deal.
Taiwan wants to join the group in a second membership round expected next year.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin revealed at the hearing that he plans to visit Taiwan before the end of this month.
While he did not offer further details, other administration officials later confirmed that Rivkin expected to be quizzed about the TPP during his visit to Taipei.
Rivkin is responsible for US trade negotiations and investment treaties.
Other sources told the Taipei Times that Taiwan would be briefed following US Secretary of State John Kerry’s meetings in Beijing this weekend to discuss US-China economic and strategic issues.
There are fears that China might pressure founding TPP members to keep Taiwan out of the trade deal; Taipei is anxious for the US to counter such moves if they materialize.
Over the past few days, Chinese warships closely shadowed a new, high-tech US Navy vessel during a patrol through the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島) — which Taiwan also claims — in the South China Sea.
“The two nations are playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse as the US military responds to a massive island-building campaign [by Beijing],” USA Today newspaper reported.
According to the US Navy, about US$5 trillion in trade passes through the South China Sea each year.
“China will do what it can to get its neighbors to lower their guard, but it may act more cooperatively if it feels more pressure,” American Enterprise Institute academic Michael Auslin said.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Auslin said that pressing China to adopt liberal norms “will always falter on the rocks of the [Chinese] Communist Party’s self-interest.”
“Yet, by reshaping the environment surrounding China, liberal states have a much better chance of curbing some of the policies that cause them to fear Beijing’s growing power and influence,” he added.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS