Touting steps to please the U.S., Taiwan pushes for trade talks this year

Having dealt with longstanding U.S. market-access concerns, Taiwan is hoping to initiate trade negotiations before the end of the year, Taipei’s envoy to the U.S., Bi-khim Hsiao, told Inside U.S. Trade this week. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, eyeing a trade deal, last week announced restrictions on U.S. beef and pork would be relaxed. The announcement was lauded by U.S. lawmakers and administration officials, some of whom called it an important step toward deepening economic relations with Taiwan. Hsiao made...