TAIPEI: Taiwan and Canada have agreed to start talks on an investment protection agreement, both governments said on Monday , part of the Chinese-claimed island's efforts to boost ties with fellow democracies in the face of growing pressure from Beijing.
While a member of the World Trade Organization, Taiwan's only has free trade agreements with two major economies, Singapore and New Zealand, and China has pressured countries not to engage directly with the government in Taipei. The cabinet statement said the move was"an important milestone" in strengthening economic and trade relations.
The direct meeting between the two government ministers could anger China, which has stepped up efforts to isolate Taiwan as Beijing asserts its sovereignty claims.