Taipei Economic and Cultural Office host a panel discussion on the economic growth and integration in Asia, the world’s most dynamic and fastest growth region. The event is co-hosted with Overseas Press Club at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (1 E.42nd St New York) on the morning of Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
As the world’s 18th largest trading nation, Taiwan is currently institutionalizing trade relations with mainland China (its largest trading partner), while simultaneously making efforts to pursue regional, bilateral trade agreements. For example, on July 10th 2013, Taiwan and New Zealand signed an economic cooperation agreement (ANZTEC), Taiwan’s first free trade deal with a developed country. Later that year on November 7th 2013, Taiwan and Singapore signed an economic partnership agreement (ASTEP) . We are also in contact with other potential partners in Asia and Europe in the hope of concluding more such accords.
In addition to bilateral negotiations, we must take part in regional arrangements. Given that Taiwan’s trade with the 12 members of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2013 accounted for 34% of Taiwan’s total external trade, we believe Taiwan’s membership in the TPP would definitely be beneficial not only for Taiwan , but also for all TPP member states.
