U.S., Taiwan sign reciprocal trade pact, bolstering bilateral strategic economic ties

　International Trade Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued a press release announcing that Taiwan and the U.S. officially singed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) in Washington D. C. on February 12, 2026 (U.S. Eastern Time), which covers tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, promotes trade facilitation, strengthens intellectual property protection, and expands the two nations’ cooperation across multiple areas, including economic security and labor protections.  

　Regarding non-tariff trade barriers, both nations will implement measures according to international standards and norms.  For example, in the aspect of product inspection, U.S.-made products must first undergo testing by internationally accredited laboratories and be certified as compliant in accordance with international standards; after that, such products will be exempt from additional testing upon their import.  In addition to maintaining strict oversight through international standards and regulations, Taiwan will, based on product risk assessments, raise the sampling and inspection rate at the border and expand the scope and volume of market surveillance and sampling and testing to ensure product safety.  

　As to intellectual property protection, Taiwan has already met international standards by proactively amending and reforming relevant laws to keep pace with global norms and also to ensure compliance with relevant international conventions.  For execution of the Agreement, Taiwan has ensured its full fulfillment of international regulations and provided effective civil, criminal, and border enforcement mechanisms, so as to combat and deter IP infringement.  In the meantime, Taiwan will also protect the product labels that involve geographical indications in a fair and transparent manner, safeguarding IP holders’ and consumers’ rights and interests.  

　Besides, there are 39 names of cheese products and 10 names of processed meat products are used to indicate their respective types and categories.  The products using such names may be freely imported, which gives Taiwanese consumers the access to a wider and more diverse range of product choices.  

　Over many years, the U.S. has been Taiwan’s largest source of technology.  In order to ensure that the cutting-edge technologies and high-tech products originating from the U.S. will not be diverted by other countries for use in developing weapons of mass destruction, Taiwan will continue to refine its export control and investment review regulations and also strengthen cooperation in economic and national security matters, so as to pave a solid foundation for Taiwan-U.S. technological exchange as well as Taiwan’s economic and technological development.  Moreover, for assisting businesses in responding to global dynamics, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will continue to provide guidance to businesses and also, by organizing promotional events, assist them in keeping abreast with international trends and ensuring regulatory compliance, thereby safeguarding their interests and preventing the risk of international sanctions.   

　The execution of the Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade is expected to further strengthen bilateral economic and trade exchanges, deepen the economic strategic partnership between Taiwan and the U.S., and also facilitate Taiwan’s full alignment with international standards in its economic, trade, and industrial policies, thereby laying a solid basis for Taiwan’s sustained economic development.  (Released 2026.02.13)  
/CCS