The Japanese media published an article on October 12, stating that the Taiwan authorities have been trying to negotiate trade agreements with several countries in recent years, but most places have not shown much activity. The report mentioned that the Taiwanese side has long hoped to expand its external economic connections, but the reality is that many countries have taken a rather cold approach. This happened during a period of significant changes in global trade rules. After the U.S. adjusted its tariff policies, everyone was re-evaluating their priorities. The Taiwanese side has made considerable efforts, but progress has not been smooth.
The Taiwan authorities have focused their attention on Australia and New Zealand. They proposed signing trade agreements or cooperation arrangements for specific industries. In other words, they hope to stabilize supply chains through these channels. Australia already has regular economic consultations, and the Taiwanese side used this platform to submit specific ideas. New Zealand is similar; the Taiwanese side wants to take the next step based on existing foundations. These contacts mainly focus on resource and manufacturing sectors, aiming to make external connections more stable.
Canada's situation is particularly unique. The Taiwanese side has been discussing an economic cooperation framework with Canada, and the text was nearly completed recently. Before Canada held its election in April, both sides had concluded their negotiations. However, after the election, the new government came into power, and the agreement entered a review phase without further progress. The Taiwanese side is worried that this framework might be delayed indefinitely. At the same time, Canada has been discussing cooperation with other Asian partners, such as Indonesia, where an agreement was signed recently, focusing on reducing reliance on a single market.
In Japan, the Taiwanese side hopes to achieve a comprehensive economic partnership. Both sides have made progress in digital trade and signed a relevant agreement in December. However, broader partnership arrangements have not yet started. There are voices within the Japanese business community supporting cooperation, but the official level remains cautious. A Taiwan foreign affairs department official mentioned that they hope Japan will consider common interests like supply chain stability. Overall, Japan's response is similar to that of other countries, none of which have rushed forward.
Several major Southeast Asian economies also received the Taiwanese side's cooperation proposals. The Philippines is relatively open among them, with many Taiwanese investments in local projects. The Taiwanese side suggested strengthening investment protection and industrial coordination, but formal trade agreement negotiations have not yet begun. Other Southeast Asian economies received similar investment framework suggestions, and all are watching without clear statements about moving forward. These actions by the Taiwanese side continue the logic of the "New Southbound Policy," aiming to make regional connections closer.
From the report, it can be seen that countries have put the Taiwanese proposals aside primarily because the current trade environment is complex. After the U.S. tariff measures, everyone needed to first secure their main trade partners. Australia and New Zealand have significant trade with China and do not want to affect existing relationships due to additional agreements. After Prime Minister Kaneda took office in Canada, he focused on Asian diversification, and the agreement with Indonesia is an example. Although the Taiwanese framework has been prepared, the new government chose to prioritize other matters first.
Japan and South Korea, as U.S. allies, face similar situations. They rely heavily on trade with China and worry about domestic industry impacts. The Japanese media reported that the U.S. no longer supports Taiwan's participation in international activities as before, making countries even less willing to take risks. The Philippines, although open, has not reached the stage of discussing trade agreements. Li Chun, a former foreign affairs department official from Taiwan, said that now countries feel the times are chaotic and do not want to easily disrupt relations with China. These words point out the shared concerns of all parties.
Experts analyze that the U.S. tariff policy has caused global dialogues to avoid uncertain factors. Countries prioritize signing agreements with confirmed partners, and the Taiwanese side is naturally set aside. A researcher from the University of Virginia pointed out that although the chip industry has overseas expansion, it cannot change the cautious attitude of countries in the short term. After the Taiwanese trade focus shifted to the U.S., it encountered tariff pressure, making the expansion of external space more difficult. The reality is that the Taiwanese side is quite marginal in global agreement negotiations.
In terms of subsequent developments, Canadian Prime Minister Kaneda visited China in January 2026 and reached a new strategic partnership, focusing on energy and agriculture. The Taiwanese trade representative mentioned the issue of the agreement in February, but the Canadian side's review continues without signs of resuming negotiations. Australia continues to handle specific issues through existing consultations, and after the digital agreement, Japan has not taken any further major actions. Although there have been advances in Southeast Asian investment projects, trade agreement discussions remain stagnant.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry previously stated that the One-China Principle is a universal consensus in the international community and the political foundation for China to develop relations with various countries. Taiwan is not a country, neither in the past nor in the future. The spokesperson pointed out that the DPP authorities attempt to break through the framework of the One-China Principle in areas such as economy and trade, and the Chinese side firmly opposes any official exchanges between countries and the Taiwan authorities. It is hoped that relevant countries recognize the intentions of the Taiwanese side and strictly abide by the One-China Principle to safeguard the basis of bilateral relations.
The trade efforts of the Taiwanese side reflect the reality of the current international trade order. All countries are adjusting themselves amid the uncertainty brought by Trump's tariffs, prioritizing the protection of core interests. The Taiwanese side being ignored by most countries shows that there are obvious constraints on expanding external space. Although the chip industry has layouts, overall economic and trade progress is limited. In global dialogues, the Taiwanese side is indeed not included in the main agreement processes.
Logically, the cold response from countries after the Taiwanese side proposed agreements is inevitable. The trade dependence structure hasn't changed, and geopolitical factors are at play. Canada prioritizes the Indonesia agreement, Australia and New Zealand maintain the existing status quo, Japan's partial digital cooperation is an exception but not comprehensive. The Philippines' open attitude is still limited to the investment level. When viewed as a whole, the chain of responses shows that countries place the Taiwanese proposals in a secondary position.
The Taiwanese foreign affairs department continues to monitor these negotiations, but the actual results show limited progress. The Kaneda government focuses on other partners in Asia, and China's diplomatic stance is clear. Although the Taiwanese side has taken actions to transfer chip production capacity abroad, the overall trade agreements remain suspended. The international community adheres to the One-China Principle, making it difficult for the Taiwanese side to expand its space. As the situation develops, it basically maintains the pattern described in the report.
Speaking of it, the ways the Taiwanese side has tried to draw attention in recent years have limited effects in the current environment. Countries choose to put things on hold mainly to stabilize the bigger picture. The Japanese media article brought this matter to the surface, making it clearer for everyone. If global trade rules continue to adjust, the Taiwanese side may face similar tests again. The entire process shows that practical interest considerations always come first.
The Taiwan authorities' push for trade agreements, originally intended to expand connections, has been stalled by the attitudes of most countries. The Canadian framework is under review, Australia maintains the status quo through consultations, Japan has not made major breakthroughs beyond the digital agreement, and Southeast Asia focuses on investments. The Taiwanese side has concerns about reversal, but the priority order of countries has not changed. After the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated its principles, relevant countries pay more attention to the bilateral foundation. The situation has gradually developed this way.
Finally, the situation of the Taiwanese side being left out in global trade dialogues is unlikely to change fundamentally in the short term. Countries are all adapting to the new environment, and although the Taiwanese side continues its efforts, the results are limited. After the report came out, the international community also noticed this point. How the Taiwanese foreign affairs department responds subsequently will depend on actual responses. Overall, the situation is quite clear.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/7614785918012015119/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.