United States: The United States and Taiwan are set to sign a new trade deal as tensions with China rise. The announcement comes ahead of a significant global security summit set to take place in Singapore over the weekend. Over the past few years, the relationship between the US and China has grown increasingly strained.

The Taiwan Office of Trade Negotiations confirmed that the agreement will be signed in Washington, D.C., in the morning US time. Deputy United States Trade Representative Ms. Sarah Bianchi is expected to be present at the event.

The signing will be a significant milestone for the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, which was initiated last year with the goal of enhancing economic ties between the two nations and increasing US exports to Taiwan.

Notably, China has criticized these trade talks, as it does with any form of high-level engagement between the US and Taiwan, asserting that Taiwan is its own territory.

The signing of the trade deal is expected to occur ahead of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit. Both US Defense Secretary Mr. Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Mr. Li Shangfu are anticipated to attend the summit in Singapore.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon revealed that Beijing had declined an invitation for the two officials to meet. General Austin, after meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Mr. Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo, expressed disappointment with China’s decision. He emphasized the importance of communication between countries with significant capabilities to manage crises and prevent unnecessary escalations.

Relations between Taiwan and China have significantly deteriorated since the visit of former US House Speaker Ms. Nancy Pelosi to the island in August. Beijing strongly condemned Pelosi’s visit, considering it “extremely dangerous.”

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