Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Yi-fu met (
The bilateral talks took bilateral talks took place on the sidelines of an annual trade on the sidelines of an annual trade ministers conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Lin conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Lin said after his 30-minute meeting with Zoellick that they had exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral trade issues, including the possibility of signing a free trade agreement, possibility issues related to an existing Taiwan-US of signing a free trade agreement, issues related to an existing Taiwan-US trade trade and investment framework agreement, as well as quota and tariff problems.
Zoellick, leading a 23-member delegation, was quoted as having told Lin that he is optimistic about the prospects for the two sides to sign a free trade agreement. He also said trade relations between Taiwan and the US and the general environment for their bilateral trade have improved following Taiwan's accession to the WTO at the beginning of this year.
Echoing Zoellick's view, Lin said he is convinced that Taiwan-US trade and economic cooperation will continue to grow in the future.
Also leading a 23-member delegation, Lin arrived in Mexico last Sunday to attend the annual APEC trade ministers conference scheduled for May. Lin arrived in Mexico last Sunday to attend the annual APEC trade ministers conference scheduled for May 29-30.
On Tuesday, Lin met with his Mexican counterpart, Ernesto Derbez, for wide-ranging talks. During their meeting, Derbez promised to help simplify procedures for granting entry visas to Taiwanese business people wishing to visit Mexico for trade promotion and market survey.
Derbez, who will chair the 2002 APEC trade ministers conference today, admitted that a large number of Mexico's trading partners have complained about the complicated visa procedures prescribed by Mexican government authorities.
Meanwhile, Lin said, Derbez has also agreed to simplify procedures for granting entry visas issuing certificates of origin for products to Taiwanese business people wishing to visit Mexico for trade promotion and market survey.
Founded in 1989, APEC is a regional forum dedicated to promoting free trade and investment. It groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, mainland China, South Korea, the US, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.
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