Taiwanese and US representatives yesterday wrapped up the latest round of in-person trade talks in Taipei, but did not succeed in inking any agreements, Minister Without Portfolio and top negotiator John Deng (鄧振中) told a media briefing.
“The two sides gained better understanding of bilateral rules and differences on issues regarding labor rights protection, trading of agricultural products and environment protection,” Deng said.
The two sides needed more time to clarify details before working out a pact in line with the second phase of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, Deng said.
Photo: CNA
Taiwan is seeking access to the US market for its mangoes and pineapples, as well as pork floss and sausage, Deng said.
There is a great need of new export destinations for these two fruits due to pressure from China, he said.
“Exports of agricultural products require complicated and longstanding negotiations… It took a decade for Taiwan’s guava to enter the US market,” he said.
Washington is pushing for relaxed regulations for its pork imports, an issue Taiwan prefers not to address until after the political transition on May 20 given its controversial nature, Deng said.
Taiwan’s mangoes and pineapples do not raise any food safety concerns, while Taiwanese are concerned about US pork products with ractopamine, the official said.
US negotiators believe Taiwan holds unnecessarily high standards regarding pork products, he said.
Labor protection dominates the trade talks and the two sides agree that flows of products made by forced labor must be stopped and they should be removed from shelves, Deng said.
The US is highly sensitive about products allegedly made by prisoners abroad.
Taiwan agrees with the US regarding the need to ban such products, but the nation would need more legal experts and inspectors to detect human rights violations, Deng said.
The US delegates consisted of more than 20 trade negotiators and observers from the US Congress, as the matter involves administrative and lawmaking processes, Deng said.
The two sides also reached an agreement on the importance of transparency and public participation in environmental protection so that public support can be gained for initiatives regarding the issue, Deng said.
In the past, such bilateral talks were held privately and caused public distrust or protests from civic groups, he said.
The five-day talks did not touch on the energy mix issue, but both sides agreed that they should make efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Deng said.
Washington is fully aware that there will be power transition in Taiwan later this month, but pressed ahead with the talks in part to show its respect and recognition of policy continuity, Deng said.
The two sides are to conduct more video conferences, he added.
Taiwan last night blanked world No. 1 Japan 4-0 to win the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time. Taiwanese ace Lin Yu-min (林昱珉) held defending champions Japan to just one hit and no runs in the first four innings, before catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) opened the fifth inning with a solo home run. That was soon followed by a three-run homer from Taiwanese captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to put Taiwan ahead in the prestigious tournament of the world’s top 12 baseball teams. In addition to a superb performance from 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Lin, three more Taiwanese pitchers
Taiwan yesterday advanced to the gold medal match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time in history, despite last night losing 9-6 to Japan. Taiwan advanced after the US defeated Venezuela in the first game on the last day of the Super Round. However, the US had no chance of advancing to the championship game unless it defeated Venezuela by at least nine points. The US won 6-5. As a result, the two teams — who both had one win and two losses in the Super Round — are to face off again in the
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電), the world’s biggest contract chipmaker, yesterday held an equipment installation ceremony for its first 2-nanometer fab in Kaohsiung, six months ahead of schedule, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said. “To cope with the strong global demand for advanced chips, TSMC is to start moving in equipment for its first-ever 2-nanometer fab half a year earlier than scheduled,” Chen said at an question-and-answer session at the Kaohsiung City Council. TSMC’s 2-nanometer process technology would help accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications as well as the transformation of local industries in Kaohsiung, Chen said in a
TEAM TAIWAN: While lawmakers proposed declaring Nov. 24 a national day, the CPBL commissioner urged the legislature to pass the budget for sports development Lawmakers yesterday proposed designating Nov. 24 as National Baseball Day and updating the design of the NT$500 bill to honor the national team’s victory in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Premier12 championship on Sunday, as thousands of fans came out to see the players parade down the streets of Taipei. Players, coaches and staff from the national team returned home on Monday night after achieving their best-ever performance in an international baseball tournament. After receiving a rapturous welcome at the airport, the players turned out yesterday for a street parade in front of thousands of adoring fans waving Taiwanese flags and
RSS