Hammond-Chambers and Lohman said that once Obama takes office, the US would have to review its relationship with global trading partners, with Asia being the focal point. they believe that a US-Taiwan FTA would be an easy win for American trade and foreign policy; therefore, they hope that Obama would make an effort in reaching an internal consensus on loosening the Democratic Party's foreign trade policy.

According to Hammond-Chambers, "Taiwan will definitely be one of the major partners if the US were to resume FTA negotiations." Also, the article reads, "Taiwan is the US's principal strategic partner in the global technology supply chain. Taiwanese companies are partnered with almost every leading American technology company and help produce many of the affordable technology products that enhance our workplace productivity and personal welfare. An FTA would maximize this benefit and distribute it across the economy."

Lohman and Hammond-Chambers said that as China's military threat and suppression of Taiwan's international space continue to destroy the international participation of the Taiwanese people and threatens their basic rights and their ability to determine their own future, "China's leadership feels no less threatened than Russia's autocrats by bordering nations exercising both economic and political freedom. Beijing is concerned about what a confident, democratic and economically liberal Taiwan may mean for its own legitimacy and regional power ambitions."

As for Taiwan, some said that it should be more active in promoting the liberalization of global trading and investment environment. Only in this way can Taiwan free itself from the geopolitical constraints and overcome China's obstructionism. Taiwan should be an initiator in globalization and a catalyst in building the Asia-Pacific free trade system. It should make the most of the global market and global resources, rather than passively waiting for others to approach with FTA offers before carrying out any economic and trade opening. Also, Taiwan should make every effort to promote its presence in the multilateral free trade system, including through the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and other organizations. In addition, it should actively propose various liberalization agendas and promote various liberalization measures.

The two experts' article today supporting Taiwan's goal to push for signing FTAs with the US and major trading partners has now captured the attention of people concerning the US-Taiwan relations. According to reports, the biggest threat to US-China relations in the short term is probably Taiwan since Beijing will never give in on the issue of whether Taiwan is a province of China. Therefore, the US has to make clear that it will meet all commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and will not accept Chinese use of force to establish territorial control in the region.

Lohman and Hammond-Chambers believe that taking the first step to negotiate a US-Taiwan FTA is a pressing issue for the US. They backed Taiwan by saying that "Countries that rely on us for their very survival – such as Taiwan – are getting nervous. A free-trade agreement with Taiwan would anchor it in a world that is otherwise moving on without it. And it would give America the second wind it needs to stay in the global trade libveralization race."

All in all, Loham nad Hammond-Chambers made the point clear that reaching a US-Taiwan FTA will certainly create a win-win situation for both the US and Taiwan.

by Taiwan News, Website Editorial Staff