Minister without Portfolio John C. C. Deng and U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai held a bilateral meeting May 20 in Bangkok, underscoring the commitment of both sides to further strengthening the robust economic relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Deng and Tai discussed opportunities to advance mutual trade priorities and expand economic ties while promoting innovation and inclusive growth, among other key issues, the MOFA said.
The ministry praised the positive development as extremely encouraging. The two officials are scheduled to meet again in the coming weeks to explore concrete ways to deepen the partnership, it added.
According to the Executive Yuan, the meeting took place on the sideline of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting May 21-22 in the Thai capital.
During the first physical gathering attended by trade representatives of all 21 member states since the onset of COVID-19, Deng highlighted Taiwan’s resilience in the face of coronavirus, citing the country’s higher-than-average economic and foreign trade performances, as well as its top ranking in the COVID-19 Recovery Index compiled by Nikkei Asia.
The minister detailed the country’s achievements in bringing the country’s legal framework and policymaking more in line with global practices. This shows that Taiwan is fully committed to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and that no effort is being spared in meeting the trade bloc’s high standards, he said.
Echoing the theme of this year’s meeting, Deng also outlined the government’s plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a bill on Taiwan’s climate change response, pledging to work with the global community to promote sustainable economic development. (SFC-E)
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