US delegation to arrive in Taiwan for trade talks over 3 days

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Jan 10:02

It is reported that representatives from numerous US government agencies will also be a part of the delegation.

Demonstrator holds both US and Taiwanese flags in support of the latter in California (Reuters)

A US delegation is set to visit the island of Taiwan, headed by Assistant Trade Representative for China Affairs Terry McCartin from January 14-17, for trade talks due to take place on the island.

It is reported that representatives from numerous US government agencies will also be a part of the delegation.

This is in light of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which was formed by both Washington and Taipei last June as an attempt to establish ways to deepen the joint economic and trade relationship.

Steering away from crisis

Last month, a US State Department notice obtained by Bloomberg News said the US has offered Taiwan to buy up to 100 of its most up-to-date Patriot air-defense missiles. The batch will also include radar and related equipment, the report stated. The total amount of the transaction is estimated at $882 million.

In June, Taiwan applauded the United States' approval of the fourth arms sale in the amount of $120 million of naval weaponry, which the two partners said would improve the island's "combat preparedness" and ability to collaborate with American forces.

Then in September, the Biden administration announced the sale of $1.1bln worth of arms to Taiwan within the framework of three contracts. The largest contract is owed to a $655 million logistics package for the Taiwanese surveillance radar program.

The US has previously supplied ammunition to Taiwan with a value of $120 million last June as well. China opposed and condemned the latest sale, saying it "seriously undermines" US-China relations, as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Following Pelosi's controversial visit to Taiwan last month, China imposed restrictions on the purchase of fruit and seafood from Taiwan, as well as stopping sand supplies to the island, which sparked a diplomatic storm.

Back in December, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that a crisis in the Taiwan Strait will bear 'devastating' outcomes for the global economy, which is already in dire straits.