AIT and TECRO to Hold Sixth Trade and Investment Framework Meeting July 10-11

PR0738E | Date: 2007-07-03

The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office will hold the sixth meeting under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) on July 10th and 11th in Washington, D.C.  The meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange views on how to enhance and deepen the already strong trading relationship between the United States and Taiwan.  Karan Bhatia, Deputy United States Trade Representative, will be the chief negotiator for the American side.

The TIFA Agenda will include discussion of ways to deepen economic cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on issues including investment, taxation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, government procurement, intellectual property rights, and trade security.  This TIFA meeting will also provide an opportunity to explore how to enhance cooperation to advance trade liberalization regionally and multilaterally.

The United States and Taiwan have a long-standing and robust trade relationship. In 2006, total two-way trade between Taiwan and the U.S. was US$61 billion. The United States is Taiwan's third largest trading partner and Taiwan is the United States' ninth largest trading partner.  The TIFA was established in 1994 to resolve bilateral trade issues and enhance economic cooperation.  This will be the sixth meeting under the TIFA.  The previous TIFA meeting took place in Taipei in May 2006.  The TIFA is an important mechanism for both parties to resolve bilateral trade issues and to address the concerns of the U.S. business community.