Conflict with China: MEPs want to deepen ties with Taiwan

The parliamentarians are pushing for an investment agreement with the country, which is under severe pressure from China. They argue that Taiwan is geoeconomically important to the EU. Key word: semiconductors.

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Several dozen MEPs from various European countries are calling on the EU to negotiate an investment agreement with Taiwan, which is under pressure from China. “Taiwan is a key partner and a democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific”, they write in a letter to the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen and to the President of the EU Council Charles Michel.

The 35 signatories include Greens MEP Reinhard Bütikofer and deputy leader of the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Gyde Jensen.

MPs argued that deepening relations “with our Taiwanese democratic friends” would not only be beneficial to both sides. This is also “of geo-economic importance” as the EU is heavily reliant on Taiwan’s advanced semiconductors. They called for a “structured dialogue” to be initiated on a bilateral investment agreement that would include cooperation in “green technology”, resilient supply chains and the digital economy, including semiconductors.

Deputies: China’s “ongoing provocations”

MEPs stressed that further development of the EU partnership with Taiwan is particularly important in view of the “continuing provocations” of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese leadership considers free Taiwan as part of the Communist People’s Republic and threatens to conquer it. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, concerns have grown that Beijing too may one day carry out its threats. The Chinese leadership is also trying to isolate Taiwan internationally.

During a visit by European Parliament Vice-President Nicola Beer (FDP) to Taiwan in July, the island republic came out in favor of greater cooperation with the EU in the face of the threat from China. President Tsai Ing-wen also stressed readiness for a bilateral investment agreement with the EU.

dpa

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