A new trade agreement between the US and Taiwan is scheduled to be signed on Thursday.
The deal marks the first agreement under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, a framework established to facilitate talks between the two nations.
The announcement comes ahead of a significant global security summit taking place in Singapore this weekend.
The trade agreement, set to be signed in Washington, aims to strengthen economic ties between the US and Taiwan and increase access to US exports for Taiwan.
However, Beijing has expressed strong opposition to the trade talks, as it does with any form of high-level engagement between the US and Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan its own territory and has condemned any actions that challenge its claims.
The signing of the trade deal is expected to occur just prior to the Shangri-La Dialogue annual defense summit, which begins on Friday.
Both US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu are scheduled to attend the summit in Singapore.
However, the Pentagon revealed earlier this week that Beijing declined an invitation for the two officials to meet.
Commenting on China’s decision, General Austin described it as “unfortunate” and emphasized the importance of dialogue between countries with significant capabilities to manage crises and prevent unnecessary escalations.
The relationship between Taiwan and China has been strained for some time, with tensions escalating after a visit to Taiwan by former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last August.
China vehemently condemned the visit, viewing it as a threat to its territorial claims.
While China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory, Taiwan maintains its separate identity, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.
As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, the signing of the trade agreement between the US and Taiwan will undoubtedly have wider implications for the already complex relationship between these global powers.
