Taiwan, Britain hold new round of trade talks

6/11/2024 14:57

        Taiwan and Britain are holding a new round of trade talks this week focusing on investment and green energy, officials said on Wednesday, after a deal last year that Taipei hopes will boost global engagement of the tech powerhouse.
        
        Despite a lack of formal ties, Taiwan sees Britain as an important democratic partner, thanks to its concern over stepped-up Chinese military activities near the island, which Beijing views as its own territory.
        
        Britain also supports Taiwan's participation in global bodies such as the World Health Organization.
        
        Because of its diplomatic isolation and pressure from China, major semiconductor producer Taiwan has few formal foreign trade agreements, though it belongs to the World Trade Organization and has free trade pacts with Singapore and New Zealand.
        
        Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said talks with visiting British officials in Taipei this week focused on issues such as digital trade, investment, renewable energy and net-zero emissions.