TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Representatives from the United Kingdom and Taiwan signed a landmark agreement in Taipei on Monday (June 30) to strengthen their Enhanced Trade Partnership, opening a significant new chapter in bilateral economic relations. The comprehensive pact, formally signed by Ruth Bradley-Jones, the UK's representative in Taiwan, and Yao Chin-hsiang (姚金祥), Taiwan's representative to the UK, establishes frameworks for digital trade, energy cooperation with net-zero emissions targets, and expanded investment opportunities between the two economies.
British Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander emphasized the agreement's strategic importance, pointing to substantial opportunities for collaboration and Taiwan's increasingly vital position in the UK's clean energy supply chain development. Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), a minister in Taiwan's Executive Yuan (Taiwan's cabinet), noted that the UK has designated Taiwan as a priority partner for economic dialogue and cooperation, a status that will enable businesses from both economies to strengthen and expand their global commercial networks in complementary sectors.
Bradley-Jones remarked during the signing ceremony that both economies share the fundamental goal of driving strategic industry growth, highlighting how this alignment is evident in the UK's recently launched industrial strategy and Taiwan's development of its five trust industries. Yao emphasized Taiwan's crucial position in global semiconductor and information and communications technology supply chains, asserting that the Enhanced Trade Partnership would significantly strengthen economic security and supply chain resilience for both partners in an increasingly volatile global marketplace.
The British Office in Taipei highlighted that this digital trade agreement represents a significant milestone, making the UK the first nation to establish such a framework with Taiwan, creating advantageous conditions for businesses and consumers in both markets. Officials noted that the energy and net-zero emissions component marks Taiwan's first international green trade agreement, aligning both partners toward achieving their respective 2050 net-zero emissions targets. The investment portion of the agreement establishes mechanisms to streamline bilateral investment flows while guaranteeing a level playing field for investors from both economies. ◼