Taiwan-EU economic relations: a European perspective

This study takes a broad overview on the development of Taiwan-EU economic relations with a particular emphasis on the European position. These relations are evolving in the context of the end of the Cold War, the wider impact of Euro-pean integration and changes in the multilateral domain. The Taiwan-EU-China diplomatic triangle also cannot be ignored, especially as both Taiwan and China have sought EU support of their respective bids to become WTO members. Taiwan has become an increasingly important economic partner for the EU. However certain persistent trade disputes remain. At the politico-institutional level, Taiwan-EU economic diplomacy remains informalised with Taiwan’s contested sovereignty constraining the development of more formalised links and dialogue. Yet Taiwan’s entry into the WTO will broaden the options of this diplomacy and present new opportunities for nurturing closer Taiwan-EU economic relations in general.

EEAS: EU and Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) http://www.eeas.europa.eu/taiwan/index_en.htm

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