The United States and Taiwan are expected to discuss trade between the two countries this fall. In addition to talks that should yield “economically meaningful outcomes,” the “economic pressure” from China towards Taiwan is also on the agenda, the countries announced.
China reacted angrily to the announcement because it considers Taiwan a renegade province.
The fact that the US and Taiwan were to start talks had already been announced in June. At that time, the scope and topics that would be discussed still had to be agreed upon. Taiwanese trade envoy John Deng said he hoped the talks would be a prelude to a free trade agreement with the US. That has long been a wish of Taiwan.
China’s “economic pressure” has come on the agenda alongside issues such as regulating goods and quality requirements. This refers not only to a possible blockade of Taiwan by China but also to the pressure that China is putting on countries that enter into ties with Taiwan.
For example, Lithuania had to deal with all kinds of Chinese opposition when the Taiwanese embassy in Vilius was actually allowed to be called the embassy. In other countries, a different name is usually used due to the difficult situation of the island state.