TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have faced delays since the submission of its application in 2021, according to Kuomintang Legislator Johnny Chiang.
Speaking at a Foreign and National Defense Committee meeting at the Legislative Yuan on Monday, Nov. 13, Chiang expressed concerns regarding the government's progress in establishing a CPTPP-focused task force and questioned the allocation of a NT＄12 million budget for hosting discussion forums.
Responding to these inquiries, Lieu Yu-ping, director of International Economics at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), outlined the MOFA's top three strategies for advancing Taiwan's position in anticipation of Canada assuming the leadership of the CPTPP Commission in 2024.
She highlighted this year as a pivotal moment for Taiwan to explore international opportunities.
The first strategy involves establishing informal communication channels with major CPTPP participants. "This step is critical before officially setting up a task force, as comprehensive communication is essential," Lieu stated.
Second, Taiwan aims to form influential communication teams, engaging key opinion leaders from countries like Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the U.K. This approach is intended to facilitate dialogues that strengthen Taiwan's international stance as a prospective CPTPP member.
Finally, Taiwan will continue to engage with members who currently oppose its entry into the CPTPP. With support from the Chamber of Commerce, think tanks, academia, and major industries, Lieu envisions creating a favorable environment for Taiwan's active participation in international organizations.
