Taiwan Today
Date: November 19, 2015
The ROC looks forward to enhancing collaboration with members of the Trans-
Pacific Partnership so as to fast-track the country’s inclusion in the trade bloc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nov. 18.
“As close trading partners with key positions in the international supply chain, Taiwan and TPP members play important roles in promoting regional and global prosperity,” MOFA said in a statement.
“Taiwan is highly committed to taking part in the second round of TPP negotiations, and urges the 12 participating economies to support the country’s bid in order to create a win-win situation for all parties,” MOFA said. “Excluding Taiwan from the pact would be a major loss to both the TPP members and regional industrial chain.”
MOFA’s comments came following the TPP Leaders’ Statement issued by the negotiating members Nov. 18 in Manila on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
According to the ministry, other than the multilateral negotiations under the framework of the World Trade Organization, economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region is widely seen as a major development in global trade and investment liberalization. [FULL STORY]
“TPP membership is of great significance to Taiwan given the local economy’s high dependence on foreign trade, which was equivalent to 111 percent of the country’s gross domestic product last year,” MOFA said.