On June 7, Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the department’s fiscal year 2022 budget request and foreign policy priorities. During that testimony, Republican Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky asked Secretary Blinken about the possibility of enhanced trade ties with Taiwan. Their full exchange was as follows:

Congressman Barr

Building off of the topic of strengthening trade relationships with Taiwan, I assume you're aware, Taiwan lifted a ban on certain pork imports from America in the hopes of pursuing a broader trade agreement with the US. I believe deepening trade ties with Taiwan is important to countering Chinese malign influence. Mr. Secretary, what is the administration's position on a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan?

Secretary Blinken

So, I have to refer you to Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative, but I know we are engaged in conversations with Taiwan, or soon we'll be, on some kind of framework agreement, and those conversations should be starting, but I would ask you to talk to the US Trade Representative.