TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation (馬英九基金會) expressed concern on Monday (Oct. 28) about Taiwan's prospects for joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) if former U.S. President Donald Trump wins the election.
The CPTPP Executive Committee will meet in Canada on Nov. 27-28. Legislators in Taiwan view this year as critical for membership, given that Australia and Vietnam, nations with significant Chinese influence, will chair the committee in the next two years. Missing this opportunity could pose greater challenges for Taiwan in the future.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), speaking during a radio interview, said Trump's aversion to multilateral agreements could hinder Taiwan's chances, and criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) government for repeatedly labeling each year as pivotal for CPTPP membership, yet failing to secure entry.
Hsiao further questioned the benefits of Taiwan's alignment with U.S. policies, including the controversial import of ractopamine pork. He raised doubts about the Office of Trade Negotiations (行政院經貿辦公室), accusing it of boasting about initiatives with the U.S. that ultimately yield no tangible results.
According to the office's website, the CPTPP represents one of the most progressive and liberalized trade agreements globally, governed under World Trade Organization (WTO) standards.