Opposition Urges Canada to Sign Taiwan Trade Framework

In Ottawa, opposition lawmakers from the Conservative and Bloc Québécois parties are pressing the Liberal government to finalize a long-negotiated trade cooperation framework with Taiwan, following claims by Taiwan's envoy that Canada abruptly paused the process. The agreement, initialled by negotiators since April 2025, remains unsigned amid sensitivities over relations with China, though a senior diplomat indicated last week that a decision is imminent.

Weldon Epp, assistant deputy minister at Global Affairs Canada overseeing Indo-Pacific diplomacy, told the House of Commons foreign affairs committee on Thursday that the matter rests with cabinet. "The government is considering the timing and the nature of moving forward on it," Epp said. "I fully expect there will be decisions taken before too long on moving forward." He described the framework as nearly ready for signature, building on existing arrangements like the Canada-Taiwan foreign investment protection agreement without requiring parliamentary tabling as a treaty.

The push comes after Harry Tseng, head of Taipei's Economic and Cultural Office in Canada and Taiwan's de facto ambassador, stated in a February...