Answer given by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission

The conclusion of negotiations for an EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) in principle on 30 December 2020 is a first step in the process towards adoption and ratification of the Agreement.

Against this backdrop, the Commission has not yet considered the launching of investment negotiations with Taiwan.

For the launching of any negotiations, the usual internal procedures will have to be followed in the EU, including an impact assessment, and a decision by the Council authorising the opening of negotiations, together with possible negotiating directives.

In any event, the EU and Taiwan are in regular policy dialogues on economic, trade and investment issues, including on market access barriers. In 2020, the EU and Taiwan held for the first time a very successful European Investment Forum.

Going forward, the Commission would like this to become part of the regular trade and investment cooperation with Taiwan with a view to reinforcing the strategic cooperation on sectors of common interest. The EU continues working closely with Taiwan also on addressing some persistent trade barriers faced by European exporters.