TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A delegation from UK arrived in Taiwan on Sunday to discuss bilateral trade relations.

The British delegation is led by the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Douglas Alexander, who will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) during his brief visit from June 29 to June 30, reported CNA. He will also meet with Vice Economics Minister Chiang Wen-jo (江文若) to conduct negotiations focused on strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation. 

Alexander will witness the signing of the Enhanced Trade Partnership Pillars agreement while he is in Taipei. The ETP Pillars pact, drafted in 2023, will focus on three areas for enhanced economic cooperation: bilateral investment, trade in online goods and services, and energy policy. 

The ETP Pillars pact will be signed by the Taiwan envoy to the UK Vincent Yao (姚金祥) and the British representative in Taiwan Ruth Bradley Jones. The agreement is expected to help drive growth in key industries for Taiwan and the UK. 

Prior to his UK departure, Alexander released a statement that pointed out the strong relationship between the UK and Taiwan. He said the UK has “a long-standing trade relationship with Taiwan and our trade reached an all-time high last year, but we know there are still more opportunities for British businesses,” per Reuters. 

Taiwan is the UK’s 33rd largest trade partner. Imports and exports between Taiwan and the UK reached a value of approximately NT$370 billion in 2024, and grew 7.7% over 2023, reported CNA. The UK government has described Taiwan as a “key market” for global trade.