By Jeannykao and Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI, Reuters – Taiwan’s chief trade negotiator asked the United States Tuesday to remember that Taiwan wants a free trade agreement. However, the US acknowledged this would not be possible immediately and was willing to negotiate other trade agreements as “building blocks”.

Taiwan had long advocated such a partnership. This would represent a powerful show of support for Taiwan’s claims to its island, despite Beijing’s constant diplomatic and military pressure. It claims that it is an American partner with common democratic values and is reliable.

The United States and Taiwan announced last week a U.S.-Taiwan Initiative in 21st-Century Trade. It envisages new trade discussions.

John Deng (Taiwan’s chief trade negotiator), will travel to Washington in a Reuters interview at the end-of-the month to meet with top U.S. officials. He said that what they really wanted was a free and fair trade agreement even though the U.S. government had halted any such negotiations.

In his office close to Taipei’s presidential office, he stated, “This our hope.

Deng stated that Taiwan is very realistic, and recognizes the inevitability of achieving this goal in the near future.

Taiwan’s desire is that you remember this. However, it is clear that we are unable to move you right now.

He said that “building blocks” could be first established, then tariffs can addressed at the last.

Although Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support in Congress, and the Senate respectively, last month the Biden administration excluded Taipei form its Asia-focused economic program, which was designed to combat China’s increasing influence. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework or IPEF.

Deng stated that IPEF would become “more comprehensive” if Taiwan were allowed to join.

China angered Biden last month when the United States threatened to intervene militarily if China attacked the island. It seemed that Biden was breaking from a longstanding policy of not giving clear instructions on how the United States would react. The United States has denied that any change in policy was occurring.

CPTPP APPLICATION

Another group Taiwan is interested in joining, and has applied for it to do so since September. It’s the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. China applied as well, however it has stated that Taiwan is not interested in joining.

Deng stated that Taiwan will have to wait until Britain’s advanced application is approved before other member countries – Canada and Australia, Brunei. Chile. Japan. Malaysia. New Zealand. Peru. Singapore. Vietnam would be considering Taiwan.

“Their response for now is Britain taking up too much human power,” he stated, noting that no working group has been formed to review Taiwan’s application.

Deng stated that he didn’t think the CPTPP had to be guided by the World Trade Organization model. This would have seen both Taiwan and China join at the same moment. It was meant to prevent any political issues of favoring one party.

Deng stated that “No country proposed it, not informally.” “It should not be based upon merit.”