Taiwan lobbies Japan to start talks on trade deal

Taipei pact with U.K. could be template, but Tokyo appears wary of Beijing's pressure

2017-08-07T110616Z_1642287390_RC11A8E90D00_RTRMADP_3_TAIWAN-ECONOMY-EXPORTS.JPG

A man rests in front of an Evergreen Marine container ship at Taiwan's Kaohsiung Port. Taiwan sees trade deals as a crucial tool for overcoming its international isolation. © Reuters

THOMPSON CHAU

TAIPEI -- Taiwan is making a push for a trade deal with Japan and has instructed its diplomats to lobby Tokyo, hoping to start formal negotiations amid pressure from China.

Taiwan's Foreign Affairs Minister Lin Chia-lung has told the de facto embassy in Tokyo to actively consult with the Japanese government and to negotiate through existing bilateral economic and trade platforms, according to Taipei officials familiar with the matter.

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