Canada opens Pacific trade pact to new members following Taiwan's complaint

Canada's government confirmed that a major Trans-Pacific Trade Pact is still open for other aspirant member countries, including Taiwan, to join. This was after Taipei complained about the lack of a working group that would consider Taiwan's entry.

Taiwan's Government expressed its disappointment Friday at the fact that members of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership had not established a working group in order to discuss membership during a meeting of ministers held in Vancouver. The government said there should be no political considerations.

Global Affairs Canada released a statement on Tuesday stating that existing members will continue to discuss requests for membership after the creation of the Accession Working Group (AWG) for Costa Rica at the meeting held in Canada.

The Auckland Principles stated that "the establishment of an AWG in Costa Rica won't impede or slow down deliberations regarding other aspirant countries' accession requests (including Taiwan's),"

The statement said that the "Auckland Principles", refers to the ability to meet high standards set by the agreement, as well as a pattern of compliance with trade commitments. It also states that members must reach consensus on decisions.

The CPTPP remains open and welcoming to all economies that meet the Auckland Principles.

Taiwan has officially applied to join CPTPP in 2021, less than one week after China announced that it had also submitted an application. The CPTPP currently has 11 members: Australia, Brunei (Burnei), Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Britain will join the group this month.

No working group has been established to date to examine China's application.

Taiwan has very few international trade agreements because it is diplomatically isolated by China. China views the democratically-governed island as part of its territory.

Both Taiwan and China, who have opposed Taiwan's CPTPP request, are members the World Trade Organization.

Taiwan claims that China does not have the right to represent or speak on its behalf in international forums and has the right to engage other countries and bodies. (Reporting and Editing by Shri Navaratnam.)

(source: Reuters)