TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations (行政院經貿辦) expressed deep disappointment Friday (Nov. 29) that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) did not form a working group for Taiwan. Officials urged CPTPP member nations to avoid political considerations in their decision-making process.
CPTPP members held their eighth ministerial executive committee meeting in Vancouver, Canada, from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28. The members decided to establish a working group for Costa Rica's accession, appointing Peru as chair and Canada and New Zealand as vice chairs. Taiwan's application failed to achieve consensus among all member nations.
Since submitting its application on Sept. 22, 2021, Taiwan has actively sought support from CPTPP members. The office said it has engaged in official contact, promoted industry cooperation, expanded civil exchanges, and completed comprehensive domestic regulatory revisions to bolster its bid.
To reach a consensus for forming Taiwan's working group, the government plans to strengthen substantive trade and economic relations with CPTPP members. The office aims to build trusted partnerships in five key industries: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, military technology, security control, and next-generation communications. Taiwan also seeks to negotiate bilateral agreements with member countries.
