The Economic and Trade Office of the Executive Yuan announced that after Taiwan and the United States held a meeting on the "Taiwan-US 21st Century Trade Initiative" in New York, USA from November 8 to 9 last year, the two sides decided to hold a new round of meetings in Taipei from January 14 to 17.

(Provided by the Executive Yuan)

[Reporter Zhong Lihua/Taipei Report] The Economic and Trade Negotiation Office of the Executive Yuan announced that following the first negotiation meeting between Taiwan and the United States on the "Taiwan-U.S. A new round of meetings will be held in Taipei on the 17th.

The Economic and Trade Office of the Executive Yuan stated that this meeting will be held by Yang Zhenni, Deputy Chief Negotiator of the Economic and Trade Negotiation Office of the Executive Yuan, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Representative Office in the United States, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Financial Supervisory Commission, the Ministry of Justice, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the National Development Council. Personnel from units such as the Anti-Inspection Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, the Legislative Council of the Executive Yuan, and the Office of Economic and Trade Negotiations attended the meeting.

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In terms of issues, the agenda has not yet been fully determined as the working classes of the two sides are still conducting video conference discussions on individual issues.

We hope that this meeting can further promote the achievement of the goals of this initiative.

The official emphasized that the overall goal is still to complete the negotiations by the end of this year and before the United States hosts the APEC summit. The international situation is changing rapidly, and we cannot take our time. Delaying is not good for Taiwan.

As for the 11 issues, including labor, environmental protection, standards, agriculture, and anti-corruption, there are many and complex issues, and there are certain difficulties in negotiating, "but the ambition must be very high."

As for whether the agreement will be signed as a BTA (Bilateral Trade Agreement) in the end?

The official explained that it still depends on what is negotiated and whether the name of the agreement can accurately reflect the content.

Negotiators also revealed that after the first meeting with the U.S. side and many times of video and telephone communication, it can be found that the U.S. side communicated with us in a reciprocal and equal manner this time. ’, this time it is completely unfeeling that the United States is unilaterally imposing their will on Taiwan.”

As for whether the cabinet reshuffle will affect the negotiations?

The official emphasized that the negotiations will continue. This is the most important matter for Taiwan at this stage, and it will affect Taiwan-US relations and Taiwan's international trade. "It must be done well. No matter who does it, it should go all out."