How can Taiwan negotiate a free trade agreement with the United States since China is certain to object?
It is true that we can expect China to oppose anything that Taiwan proposes. At the same time, U.S. officials have been clear in stating that China does not have a veto right over U.S. trade policy. From an economic standpoint, it is logical for two close trading partners, such as Taiwan and the U.S., to pursue further trade liberalization through negotiation of an FTA. In addition, the Taiwan Relations Act sets out the basic legal framework for U.S.-Taiwan bilateral relations, and an FTA would certainly be consistent with the aims of that Act, as the FTA would provide a way to promote and solidify bilateral economic ties. It is important to remember that Taiwan and the United States have in place more than 100 bilateral trade agreements governing specific aspects of the economic relationship. The WTO provides the international legal framework for negotiating FTAs. As a WTO Member, Taiwan can pursue regional and bilateral trade agreements with any other WTO Member, as long as it honors
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