AFP news agency reported that the US House of Representatives on June 21.6 voted to approve the first agreement signed under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade and requested congressional consultations for future negotiations.
The US-Taiwan Initiative for 21st Century Trade simplifies customs checks, fights corruption, and helps small businesses handle legal proceedings in both markets. The initiative was launched with the aim of strengthening US-Taiwan economic and trade relations, but did not include any market access provisions.
Containers are loaded onto cargo ships at Keelung Port in Taiwan
"The relationship between the US and Taiwan is very important to US interests in the Indo-Pacific," said Representative Jason Smith, who sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives, on June 21.6.
Sheet South China Morning Post said the bill passed by oral vote and is currently moving to the Senate.
The bill would also require the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to present all negotiated documents under the initiative to Congress before sharing it with Taiwan or any party outside the executive branch. It also emphasizes that future agreements will not come into force unless it is signed into law.
China has not yet responded to the US House of Representatives' decision. Previously, Beijing had opposed any treaty that recognized the Taipei government.
