TPP is 'less urgent' in U.S.-Taiwan trade talks: AIT chairman

Taipei, Feb. 1 (CNA) The issue of Taiwan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- a proposed free trade group made up of Pacific-Rim countries -- is a "less urgent question" than other trade issues that will figure in the upcoming U.S.-Taiwan trade talks, the chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said Friday while on a visit to Taipei.

"We know about Taiwan's interest in the TPP," Raymond Burghardt said, describing it as "an interest in exploring the idea of joining the TPP at some point in the future," during a media gathering in Taipei, hours after Taiwan's government announced the resumption of bilateral talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

"The purpose of TIFA talks is to discuss bilateral trade issues," Burghardt said in response to a question on Taiwan's intention of prioritizing the issue of joining the TPP.

The United States and Taiwan have a lot of bilateral trade issues to get through and discuss, he said, adding that whether Taiwan was going to join the TPP would "seem to be a less urgent question."

Meanwhile, Burghardt said the level of confidence restored in Taiwan and the United States' trade relationship during the TIFA talks -- scheduled to be held by the end of March -- will determine whether both sides can move toward signing a free trade agreement.

"The TIFA is a vehicle for regaining confidence in our bilateral trade relationship," he said in response to a question on whether TIFA discussions could a lead to a possible Taiwan-U.S. free trade agreement.

He said it was premature to talk about relevant issues.

Burghardt is on a five-day visit to Taiwan that will end Saturday. He met with President Ma Ying-jeou and several government officials during the visit and briefed them about the U.S. government's policy regarding its relationship with Taiwan during U.S. President Barack Obama's second term.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced earlier in the day that long-stalled talks under the bilateral TIFA will resume by the end of March in Taipei.

The ministry made the statement after the two countries agreed to resume 

February 1, 2013

Source: focustaiwan