Taiwan, US hold trade talks in Taipei for agricultural products – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Taiwan’s government has expressed its desire for the United States to open its market to Taiwanese agricultural products, including mangoes, pineapples, sausages, and other processed meats, during recent trade talks between the two nations.
John Deng, head of Taiwan‘s Office of Trade Negotiations, stated that Taiwan’s representatives “expressed hope for an expedited and transparent approval process” for the country’s applications to export these products.
Deng acknowledged that the US side could not provide a specific timeline for the approval process, noting that it took Taiwan a decade to receive approval for guava exports to the US. He emphasized that Taiwan does not want the same prolonged process to occur for pineapples and mangoes.
The issue of forced labour was also a topic of discussion during the trade talks, with the US urging Taiwan to effectively stop such practices in its supply chains. Yang Jen-ni, who led the Taiwanese delegation, stated that both sides spent considerable time discussing the definition of forced labour and how to prevent it. Deng admitted that while Taiwan is ready to address the issue, the country currently lacks the necessary mechanisms, legal tools, and professionals to effectively combat forced labour practices. He noted that existing laws are “insufficient” and may require amendments or new legislation.
The five-day trade talks, held from April 29 to May 3 in Taipei, were part of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, focusing on agriculture, labour, and environmental sectors. The negotiations followed an initial agreement signed between the US and Taiwan in June 2023, covering various aspects of trade and economic cooperation.
(With agency inputs)