Japanese Media Says Taiwan-Japan Agreement in Final Discussion Stage
According to Nikkei Asia, Taiwan and Japan are discussing a trade agreement covering broad areas, seen as a strategic anchor of Asia-Pacific tech strength that could also help Taiwan break through its trade diplomacy difficulties, and is expected to be signed as early as year-end this year. On whether the agreement exists and whether it can be signed before year-end, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said relevant information must be explained by the Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations.
Trade Negotiation Office Reiterates Deepening Cooperation Without Confirming Details
The Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations said Japan is an important economic and trade partner of Taiwan, and continuing to deepen Taiwan-Japan economic and trade relations and expand mutually beneficial cooperation has always been the government's goal. Over the past year, the two sides have held the Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference, meetings on Taiwan-Japan third-country market cooperation, and two sessions of the Taiwan-Japan Economic Partnership Committee, closely discussing economic and trade issues of common concern, and exchanging views and holding discussions on issues such as the World economic situation, to further deepen cooperation. It did not respond to the Taiwan-Japan trade agreement reported by the media.
Modeled on Taiwan-UK ETP to Avoid Tariff Negotiations
The report said the Japanese government is in the final stage of discussions with the Lai Ching-te administration, modeled on the Enhanced Trade Partnership agreement signed by Taiwan and the United Kingdom in 2023. The Taiwan-UK agreement does not directly involve tariff negotiations, seen as the deep-water zone of negotiations, but focuses on three priority areas: digital trade, investment, and renewable energy and net-zero emissions. Following the success of the Taiwan-UK case, Japan and Taiwan have the opportunity to follow suit. This model retains flexibility and can reduce political sensitivity, avoiding backlash from China, and the agreement is said to have a chance to be signed before year-end.
Five Areas Drafted, Including Drone Disaster-Prevention Cooperation
The report also said the Taiwan-Japan trade agreement currently drafts five areas, including economic resilience and innovation, industrial disaster-mitigation cooperation, digital trade, trade assistance, and sustainability. Among them, industrial disaster-mitigation cooperation involves drone cooperation, for use in natural disasters such as earthquakes. Officials have not yet confirmed the above area plans or signing timeline, with further progress pending further explanation from the Office of Trade Negotiations.