US, Taiwan strengthening cooperation: Taiwan’s FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jan 08:47

A high-level US delegation is in Taiwan this week to resume talks on a new economic initiative between Washington and the island.

Taiwan flags flutter ahead of the October 10, 2022, national day on the island of 24 million people. (Getty Images)

The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry stated that US Senator Todd Young and Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu expressed optimism for a stronger US-Taiwan collaboration.

"They reiterated Taiwan’s pivotal role in regional security and the global economy at this critical geopolitical juncture and eagerly anticipated ever stronger partnership between our countries," the ministry tweeted.

This comes as a US delegation is visiting 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 are also 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 the opportunity 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.

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.

The situation around Taiwan escalated following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contact with the island.