Taipei, May 19 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated Taiwan's intention to tighten ties with the United States under an established trade framework and continue to buy arms from Washington, at a press conference Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of his inauguration.
Ma told local and international media that Taiwan has opted to further develop trade and commercial ties with the U.S. under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) , rather than pursue amore comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA).
He said both sides are trying to use a "block-building" format that would rely on a series of specific deals under the TIFA framework, such as a bilateral investment agreement and an agreement on avoidance of double taxation, to enhance cooperation.
Ma was responding to a question on how he viewed the statement by American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt that "Taiwan might not be ready for an FTA with the U.S." because it still wants to protect some local sectors.
Ma said Taiwan and the U.S. will not discuss an FTA because the Trade Promotion Authority, authorized by the U.S. Congress, has expired, adding that an enhanced TIFA will still be an effective tool for bilateral trade liberalization.
He also acknowledged that Taiwan has concerns over Washington's desire to increase its exports of agricultural products, such as rice and pork, to Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the president reiterated Taiwan's wish to procure F-16 C/D fighter jets, which will replace its aging F-5 fleet, and diesel-electric submarines from the United States, but Washington is still evaluating the procurement request.
He also said Taiwan will not engage in an arms race with China despite a growing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait but will build a national defensive force that is strong and agile.
The U.S. is among a handful of countries that will sell weapons to Taiwan, and Taiwan will continue to pursue buying arms from Washington, he said. (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls