Taiwan is pushing to secure trade deals with the US and Britain despite Chinese opposition to efforts to strengthen economic ties between Taiwan and other countries. The talks come amid heightened tensions between the US and China that are expected to come to a head when President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on Monday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. China opposes efforts by Taiwan, a self-governing republic that the ruling Communist Party of China considers a breakaway province, to promote trade and diplomatic ties with other countries. Both the US and Britain do not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but have strong unofficial relations with the Taiwanese government. XI JINPING CALLS ON CHINA TO BUILD ‘WORLD-CLASS SOLDIERS’ AS TAKES TARGETS ON TAIWAN The Wall Street Journal reported that a Chinese embassy spokesman accused the US of a “mistake” in pursuing the trade deal and added: “China is always against any country negotiating economic and trade agreements of a sovereign or official nature with the Taiwan region of China. “ In this photo released by the Taiwan Office of the President, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, left, and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meet in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey greeted on Thursday the economic and educational cooperat (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP / AP Newsroom) Officials from the US and Taiwan held two days of talks in New York as part of the US-Taiwan 21st Century Trade Initiative, which is a bilateral companion to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity announced by the Biden administration over the summer with twelve countries in the region. CHIPMAKER TSMC PLANS ARIZONA FACTORY EXPANSION ONE press release from the Office of the US Trade Representative said the discussions were “productive” and additional meetings are expected “in the near future.” The talks include efforts to promote transparent regulatory practices, grow small and medium-sized businesses, reduce corruption and take other measures to increase trade in sectors ranging from agriculture to the digital economy. British Trade Secretary Greg Hunts traveled to Taipei to meet with Taiwanese officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen, on trade issues including technology cooperation, green energy and supply chain resilience. Hands said in a press release: “Boosting trade with this vital partner is part of the UK’s post-Brexit tilt towards the Indo-Pacific and closer cooperation will help us future-proof our economy for decades to come.” . CHIP INDUSTRY CONSIDERS TAIWAN AFTER PELOSI’S VISIT, BUT OPTIONS LIMITED Tsai said Taiwan is willing to “make the best allocations” to help restructure global semiconductor supply chains, as her country is home to one of the world’s largest computer chip makers, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The Rocket Force under the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China conducts conventional missile tests in waters off the east coast of Taiwan, from an undisclosed location in this handout released on Aug. 4, 2022. (Getty Images | Reuters) Reuters reported that a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman urged Britain to “cease all forms of official exchanges with Taiwan and stop sending the wrong message to separatist forces about Taiwan independence.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP China has escalated tensions over Taiwan in recent months. Chinese military forces hold large-scale live-fire drills in waters around Taiwan after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island in August. Chinese leader Xi Jinping received an unprecedented third term at the Communist Party Congress in October when issued a warning that, “No one should underestimate the firm determination, firm will and strong ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Xi later added, “We insist on striving for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity. However, there is no commitment to renounce the use of force, and the option to take all necessary measures remains.”
