Premier Mao Chi-kuo today thanked the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Taipei for its valuable recommendations over the years, which have helped Taiwan to improve its national policies and strengthen international ties.
"It has always been the policy of the ROC to participate in the international community and to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)," the premier said while receiving AmCham Chairman Thomas Fann at the Executive Yuan.
Now that the Trade Promotion Authority bill has been signed into law in the U.S., catalyzing TPP talks, Taiwan is under greater time pressure to prepare its candidacy for the TPP, the premier pointed out. Membership standards are high, but completing the application process for TPP will at the same time aid Taiwan's preparations for the RCEP.
The government's overall strategy for TPP membership is to push bilateral negotiations with the U.S., Japan and other major economies. If Taiwan can build consensuses with individual countries, it would speed up the multilateral negotiation process, he said.
Premier Mao thanked AmCham for its assistance for ROC-U.S. economic and trade relations. The chamber's longstanding support has strengthened and deepened bilateral ties.
Accompanying the premier at today's meeting was Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun, Minister of Economic Affairs John Deng, National Development Council Deputy Minister Lin Huan, Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Vanessa Shih, and Health and Welfare Vice Minister Shiu Ming-neng.