Acting Deputy United States Trade Representative Wendy Cutler has said that countries wishing to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) should follow the precedent set by Japan and start with bilateral trade talks with the US. Cutler made the comment Tuesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies when asked about Taiwan’s participation in the TPP.
The TPP is aimed at cutting tariffs and setting trade rules. It is central to the Obama administration's attempt to boost US exports to Asia and rebalance US foreign policy towards the region. The pact is seen as a precursor to a future wide-ranging free-trade arrangement for the entire Pacific Rim region.
Cutler’s comment implied that Taiwan has to make compromises in bilateral trade negotiations with the US in order to join the TPP. But the economics ministry said on Wednesday that the government will not budge on the issue of US pork. Trade talks between Taiwan and the US have been stalled for more than five years over a US beef import dispute.
Talks resumed in 2013 after Taiwan lifted a ban on certain US beef products containing the leanness-enhancing drug ractopamine. But the government has insisted on barring imports of US pork containing ractopamine.