UK and Taiwan Strengthen Trade and Technology Ties at 28th Annual Trade Talks

The UK and Taiwan have agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, digital technology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing as the two sides held their 28th annual Trade Talks.

The talks were co-chaired by UK Minister for Trade Lord Sarwar and Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kiang, with discussions focused on finding new opportunities to strengthen economic ties and support businesses in both economies.

The UK and Taiwan have held annual Trade Talks since 1991, providing a regular platform for officials to discuss trade and economic issues and explore areas for closer cooperation. Taiwan was the UK’s sixth-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, with total bilateral trade reaching £8.9 billion.

UK and Taiwan look to expand trade and investment

The latest talks placed particular emphasis on digital trade, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and resilient supply chains. Both sides are looking at ways to create new commercial opportunities while strengthening cooperation in sectors that are becoming increasingly important to the global economy.

UK Minister for Trade Lord Sarwar said the relationship between the UK and Taiwan was already supporting growth, jobs and investment in both economies.

“The UK and Taiwan share a strong trading relationship that is delivering growth, jobs and investment for both economies,” he said.

He added that the talks had helped identify further opportunities in digital trade, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, with the aim of supporting the UK’s industrial ambitions and driving economic growth across the country.

The discussions also involved representatives from British and Taiwanese businesses. Ministers met companies to explore opportunities to increase trade and investment, while Taiwanese businesses visiting the UK took part in a wider programme designed to develop commercial partnerships and identify potential investment opportunities.

UK Export Finance strengthens cooperation with Taiwan EximBank

Alongside the Trade Talks, the UK and Taiwan also strengthened cooperation on export finance.

Ruth Bradley-Jones, British Representative in Taipei, and Vincent Yao, Taipei Representative in London, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between UK Export Finance and Taiwan EximBank.

The agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation on export credit opportunities and could help support businesses seeking to expand their international activities.

The move comes as the UK seeks to create more opportunities for British companies to trade internationally and build stronger relationships with important markets across the Asia-Pacific region.

New UK-Taiwan technology agreement focuses on emerging industries

The talks were also accompanied by the signing of a new UK-Taiwan Science, Innovation and Technology Arrangement.

The agreement was signed by Ruth Bradley-Jones and Vincent Yao and witnessed by the UK’s National Technology Adviser, Dr Dave Smith, and Taiwan’s Deputy Minister Bing-Yu Chen of the National Science and Technology Council.

The arrangement is designed to provide a framework for greater cooperation between the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council.

It will focus on joint research and development in areas considered strategically important to both sides, including semiconductors, space, telecommunications, net zero and artificial intelligence standards.

Dr Dave Smith said the UK and Taiwan had complementary strengths in emerging technologies, with Britain bringing expertise in research, design and innovation while Taiwan has major capabilities in advanced manufacturing and hardware.

He said the new arrangement would provide a lasting framework for researchers and businesses in both economies to work together and deliver practical results.

Semiconductors, AI and advanced manufacturing among key areas

Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the UK-Taiwan relationship, particularly as governments and businesses around the world seek to strengthen supply chains for strategically important technologies.

Semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, telecommunications, artificial intelligence and space are among the areas where closer cooperation could create opportunities for researchers and businesses.

The new Science, Innovation and Technology Arrangement builds on existing collaboration between the UK and Taiwan while giving greater focus to joint efforts in research, development and emerging technologies.

The arrangement is non-legally binding, but it provides a framework for cooperation and identifies areas where both sides can work together on scientific and technological priorities.

Before the arrangement was launched, Taiwan’s NSTC Minister Cheng-Wen Wu also met separately with Baroness Lloyd, the UK Minister for Space, Cyber and Regulatory Reform. Their discussions covered the signing arrangements and wider opportunities for cooperation between the UK and Taiwan in science and technology.

UK and Taiwan deepen economic partnership

The latest talks also reviewed progress under the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership, including cooperation on investment, digital trade, energy and net zero.

The relationship between the UK and Taiwan extends beyond trade, with cooperation also taking place across education, science, technology, health, climate and cultural links.

With bilateral trade reaching £8.9 billion in 2025, both sides have a significant economic relationship to build on. The focus on advanced manufacturing, digital trade and emerging technologies also reflects wider efforts to make supply chains more resilient and encourage investment in strategically important industries.

For the UK, closer economic links with Taiwan could create further opportunities for British companies seeking to enter or expand in Asia-Pacific markets. For Taiwanese businesses, stronger connections with the UK could provide access to British research, innovation, financial services and wider European commercial networks.

The 28th annual UK-Taiwan Trade Talks therefore come at a time when both economies are looking beyond traditional trade and exploring how investment, technology and innovation can shape their future economic relationship.

For Nigerians and other members of the diaspora living in the UK, developments in international trade and investment can have a wider impact on employment, business opportunities, technology, education and the UK economy. Stronger international partnerships can also create opportunities for professionals, entrepreneurs and businesses operating across borders. Chijos News continues to bring Nigerians in the UK closer to important developments in Britain’s economy, business environment and international relationships, helping the diaspora understand how major policy and economic changes could affect their lives and opportunities.