Taiwan and the United States could begin talks to deepen trade and economic ties “in a few weeks,” two senior Taiwanese government officials told CNN on Friday.
The new discussions will “explore concrete ways to deepen the US-Taiwan trade and investment relationship,” the officials said, with the focus on institutionalizing cooperation in supply chain resilience, labor, environment and sustainable development. CNN
Day: May 27, 2022
‘Strategic confusion’ hurts Taiwan
…the US should embrace “strategic clarity” and confirm that the superpower would defend Taiwan and gather like-minded powers to preserve regional security should China risk an all-out war. As China has become more assertive, the US cannot rely solely on economic sanctions or Beijing’s concerns about being condemned.
The US was naive in supporting China’s global integration, hoping that China could become a responsible stakeholder. Washington has paid a price for China’s growing belligerence and its deliberate attempt to overlook its assurances. Taipeitimes.com
Taiwan lowers GDP forecast for 2022, raises inflation expectations
Taiwan lowered its GDP growth forecast for this year by 0.51 percentage points to 3.91% versus its previous forecast.
According to an official statement on Friday from the country’s budget directorate, inflation is expected to reach 2.67% on average this year, increasing by 0.74 percentage points. aa.com.tr
No, Biden Hasn’t Abandoned Strategic Ambiguity on Taiwan
… the notion that the Biden administration has undercut strategic ambiguity may be overstated. Instead, the president and his team are continuing the Trump administration’s process of upgrading strategic ambiguity and the One-China framework to more pragmatically protect Taiwan’s democracy and security as Chinese president Xi Jinping heightens Chinese nationalism and embraces a more offensive approach. Nationalinterest.org
China doesn’t need ‘patronising’ lectures about its record…
In a video call, the Chinese leader says human rights should not be used as a ‘pretext to interference’ in countries’ internal affairs South China Morning Post
What you need to know about China-Taiwan tensions
Less than a decade ago, ties seemed to be on the mend as the two sides — separated by a strait that is fewer than 80 miles (128 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point — deepened economic, cultural and even political engagements. But today, relations are at their lowest point in decades — raising fears of military escalation, even as experts caution that an imminent all-out war remains unlikely. CNN