US-Taiwan Business Council Vice President Lotta Danielsson argues in the Nikkei Asian Review that a trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan would be mutually beneficial. Now is the time for the United States government to launch Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations with Taiwan.
President Tsai Ing-wen addressed one of the primary irritants in the U.S.-Taiwan trade relationship last week by relaxing regulations on pork imports containing the steroid ractopamine. Taiwan has now unilaterally eliminated a technical barrier to trade that the U.S. has long argued was a major obstacle to trade talks.
By taking this significant step — despite intense opposition at home — President Tsai has demonstrated her commitment to making difficult but necessary choices to support her trade policy agenda. Taiwan appears ready to make the domestic reforms necessary to take part in comprehensive and high-standards trade agreements. This is a positive sign for future trade negotiations with the U.S. and with other trading partners, as well as for potential participation in regional and multilateral agreements.
A trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan would be mutually beneficial, and Taiwan has convincingly demonstrated that it is committed to the U.S. trade relationship. Now is the time for the U.S. government to launch BTA negotiations with Taiwan, thereby demonstrating our own commitment to this important strategic partnership.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Taiwan-and-US-move-closer-to-Bilateral-Trade-Agreement