Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan will continue its efforts to gain support for its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), despite the recent setback at the summit in Vancouver, Canada, where the group’s members failed to initiate Taiwan’s accession process.
Taiwan’s CPTPP Membership Bid Faces Challenges
Lien Yu-ping (連玉蘋), head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs, expressed regret on Tuesday that the CPTPP members could not reach a consensus regarding Taiwan’s accession at their recent meeting. Despite this, Lien emphasized that Taiwan would continue to seek support from the existing members, aiming to prove that it meets the high standards required for joining the trade bloc.
The CPTPP is a major international trade agreement that covers about 15% of the global economy, and Taiwan formally applied for membership on September 22, 2021. The agreement includes countries such as Japan, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, and is considered one of the most significant trade groups in the world.
At the Vancouver summit last week, members were unable to agree on forming a working group to advance Taiwan’s application, a crucial step in the accession process. This development came despite Taiwan’s fulfillment of the trade requirements outlined in the CPTPP’s “Auckland Principles.”
Taiwan’s Geopolitical Struggles and China’s Opposition
Lien attributed the delays in Taiwan’s accession bid to the ongoing geopolitical pressures, particularly the influence of China, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory and strongly opposes Taiwan’s participation in international organizations like the CPTPP.
Taiwan’s position in the international community has been complicated by Beijing’s efforts to isolate Taipei diplomatically. While Taiwan has garnered increasing support for its economic and political reforms, China’s opposition remains a significant obstacle.
“Despite the difficulties, Taiwan will not give up its efforts to join the CPTPP. We will continue to engage with the member countries to demonstrate our readiness to meet the high standards required by the trade pact,” Lien stated.
Costa Rica’s Bid Approved, Taiwan’s on Hold
At the same summit, the CPTPP decided to advance Costa Rica’s application, which had been submitted a year after Taiwan’s. Taiwan’s bid, along with China’s, was put on hold. While Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng confirmed that the CPTPP remains “completely open to new members,” she emphasized that any new membership requires consensus among all member states.
Politico reports that Taiwan met the trade standards needed for accession but that political considerations—primarily the “One China” policy—have complicated the process.
Table: Overview of Taiwan’s CPTPP Membership Bid
| Issue | Taiwan’s Status | Costa Rica’s Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Date | Sept 22, 2021 | Aug 2022 |
| Current Status | Membership bid on hold | Application moved forward |
| Main Obstacle | Geopolitical pressure from China | No significant opposition |
| Trade Standards | Meets the “Auckland Principles” | Meets the “Auckland Principles” |
| Next Steps | Continuing to seek support from members | Working towards final approval |
Taiwan’s Continued Efforts to Join the CPTPP
Lien pointed out that while Taiwan’s accession process is delayed, there is still a silver lining. Taiwan’s membership bid has remained in the spotlight because the CPTPP chose not to prioritize China’s bid despite its earlier application. This decision is seen as a result of Taiwan’s years of diplomatic efforts to highlight its qualifications for membership.
Taiwan has been advocating for the CPTPP to evaluate applicants based on merit and the ability to meet the trade pact’s rigorous standards, rather than political considerations. Lien stressed that China’s use of economic coercion against countries that oppose its policies makes Beijing an unqualified candidate for the CPTPP.
“We remain confident that Taiwan is a strong candidate for the CPTPP, and we will continue working toward a consensus with all members,” Lien added.
What Lies Ahead for Taiwan’s Trade Goals?
The delay in Taiwan’s CPTPP accession process underscores the geopolitical realities that shape international trade negotiations. However, Taiwan is determined to keep pushing forward and will remain engaged with CPTPP members in the coming year, when the next major summit will take place.
Although the current situation is disappointing, Taiwan’s resolve to join the CPTPP continues, driven by the belief that membership would significantly enhance the country’s economic future and global standing.
FAQs: Taiwan’s CPTPP Membership
1. Why is Taiwan’s CPTPP membership bid on hold?
The CPTPP has not yet reached a consensus on Taiwan’s application, largely due to geopolitical pressures from China, which opposes Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
2. How does Taiwan meet the trade standards required by the CPTPP?
Taiwan has demonstrated its adherence to the “Auckland Principles,” which require members to meet high standards of trade obligations, including free trade policies and economic transparency.
3. What is the CPTPP’s stance on China’s application?
China’s application for membership is also on hold, as many CPTPP members are hesitant to accept China due to concerns over its use of economic coercion.
4. Why was Costa Rica’s application accepted instead of Taiwan’s?
Costa Rica’s application was processed first due to Taiwan’s bid being delayed by the lack of consensus among members. Political factors, especially related to China’s opposition, played a significant role.
5. What are the next steps for Taiwan’s CPTPP bid?
Taiwan will continue its diplomatic efforts to convince CPTPP members of its readiness to meet the trade bloc’s requirements. The next major opportunity for progress will be during the upcoming CPTPP summit.
Conclusion: Taiwan’s Determination in the Face of Challenges
While Taiwan’s bid to join the CPTPP has faced setbacks due to geopolitical factors and a lack of consensus, the country remains committed to pursuing membership. Taiwan will continue its diplomatic outreach and efforts to meet the high standards required by the CPTPP, with the aim of eventually gaining entry into one of the world’s largest and most influential trade blocs.
