A new round of in-person negotiations between Taipei and Washington over the US-Taiwan 21st Century Trade Initiative is scheduled to take place from Tomorrow to Friday in Taipei, the Office of Trade Negotiations announced on Friday.
The talks are to focus on bilateral cooperation in fields such as labor, environmental protection and agriculture, the office said, expressing optimism that both sides could foster a more robust agricultural supply chain and employ innovative production techniques.
The trade initiative was launched in 2022 under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US.
Photo: Reuters
In June last year, the two sides signed the first pact under the initiative, agreeing on customs administration and trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, domestic regulation of services, combating corruption, and matters relating to small and medium-sized enterprises.
After holding in-person negotiations in August last year, the two sides are working toward a second agreement.
At the upcoming talks, Taiwan would ensure that food safety inspections and phytosanitary measures are implemented in accordance with international standards and scientific evidence, the office said.
In addition, Taiwan would seek to build regulatory transparency to facilitate trade in agricultural products with the US.
Taiwan would also request the exchange of information about trade and the environment so both sides can address issues relating to air pollution, natural resource management and a green economy.
The meeting would include about 30 representatives from US government agencies, such as the AIT and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
The Taiwanese side would be led by Deputy Trade Representative Jenni Yang (楊珍妮), and involve government officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, economic affairs, labor, agriculture, environment and more, the Office of Trade Negotiations said.
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