[ad_1]
TAIPEI: A bilateral trade agreement between Taiwan and the United States would strengthen US support for the democratic island in the face of “relentless intimidation” from China, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday (December 4).
Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, has long sought a trade deal with its top diplomatic and military backer, and in August Tsai announced a relaxation of U.S. pork and beef imports, eliminating an obstacle.
In a recorded message to the US Legislative Exchange Council, after receiving his International Pioneer Award for Leadership, Tsai said that with Taiwan’s dependence on trade, the island had to strengthen economic ties with trading partners.
“Therefore, I look forward to moving forward with a bilateral trade agreement with the United States, our second largest trading partner and most important security ally,” he said.
READ: Taiwan says it’s having ‘good interactions’ with Biden’s team
READ: ‘Don’t Worry’: Pro-Trump Taiwan Seeks to Reassure Biden
Tsai said she was grateful for the bipartisan support of American politicians for such an agreement.
“Such an agreement would further enhance our close economic and trade partnership, and would also strengthen the United States’ support for Taiwan in the face of relentless intimidation from across the Straits,” he added.
China has stepped up its military activities near the island, sometimes even flying fighter jets over the sensitive midline of the Taiwan Strait, which serves as an unofficial buffer between the two sides.
Tsai said that “he will never stop seeking a peaceful and stable relationship across the Straits” but that he will also not compromise in making the decisions necessary to maintain Taiwan’s security, noting increases in Taiwan’s defense budget.
While outgoing US President Donald Trump remains a popular figure in Taiwan for his administration’s defense of the island, including new arms sales and visits to Taipei by senior US officials. In the US, Taiwan has expressed confidence that the government of President-elect Joe Biden will continue that support.
Tsai alluded to the incoming administration, saying, “As we move into 2021, the Taiwan-US partnership offers tremendous opportunities for growth.”
