200 US Congressmen

President Biden announced at the East Asia Summit in October last year that the United States, along with its allies and partners, would work with India to jointly formulate and establish the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). business cooperation. In February Pacific, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration was preparing to release the plan. However, the details of this project are not yet known.

In February, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry welcomed and supported the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework developed by the Biden administration, emphasizing that Taiwan is committed to the US-led Indo-Pacific economic integration. It will actively promote its stake.


Daegu said Thursday (March 31) during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Trade Policy 2022 of the Biden administration that Taiwan is a key partner of the United States, but did not specify whether he would endorse Taiwan. . Framework ".


"On the Taiwan issue, we usually talk to people who are interested in joining the framework," Dye said in response to a question from Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ. "The issue of participation in the IPEF is still under study and, to my knowledge, we have not made any decisions."


Dieke's response angered Senator Menendez, who also chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Menendez emphasized that Taiwan is a functioning democracy that respects the rule of law, and that US-Taiwan relations are closely tied to the US Department of Economic Strategy. To achieve this, we must strive for a level of "commercial agreement".


The US Trade Representative will arrive in Singapore next Monday (April 5) to begin talks on US-Singapore economic and trade cooperation. Cooperation issues in the Indo-Pacific economic framework are expected to be among the priorities of the bilateral talks. The Biden administration sees the proposed economic framework as an important step for the United States to return to Indo-Pacific trade and economic cooperation to counter Chinese influence in the region.

During Thursday's hearing, Menendez called on the Biden administration to consider inviting Taiwan to advance its core interests in bilateral cooperation.


The day before, 200 House Democrats and Republicans sent a joint letter to Trade Representative Dieke and Commerce Secretary Raymondo urging the Biden administration to include Taiwan in the IPEF.


The lawmakers said in a joint letter that IPEF is an important step toward re-entry and leadership for the United States in the strong and vibrant economy of the Indian Pacific.


The joint letter states that the reasons for supporting Taiwan's participation in IPEF are compelling. Taiwan has long been a major trading partner of the United States and is set to become the US's eighth largest trading partner in 2021, with a total trade volume of US$114 billion. The lawmakers also noted that Taiwan plays a key role in reducing US dependence on China and diversifying its supply chain.

The lawmakers said in a joint letter that "Taiwan's involvement will send a clear signal that the United States stands with its allies and partners and will not allow China to bully Taiwan." In the face of increasingly militant China, strong US support for Taiwan is important."


The joint letter is co-chaired by bipartisan "Taiwan Cox" House co-speakers, including Democrat Albio Cyrus (D-NJ), Connolly (Republicans Gerry Connolly, D-VA) and Republicans. Rap started. Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Ballart (R-FL) signed a joint response from 196 lawmakers from all parties.