CODEL CHABOT TALKS TAIWAN, FREE TRADE WITH SENIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 000089 SIPDIS SIPDIS H FOR CODEL CHABOT USTR FOR AUSTR WEISEL AND DAUSTR BELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018 TAGS: PREL ECON ECIN ETRD SENV SN SUBJECT: CODEL CHABOT TALKS TAIWAN, FREE TRADE WITH SENIOR GOS OFFICIALS REF: SINGAPORE 71 Classified By: DCM Daniel L. Shields. Reasons 1.4(b)(d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Senior GOS officials discussed the impact of Taiwan's legislative elections, prospects for more free trade agreements, and regional architecture in January 14 meetings with Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH.). The GOS wants to make progress toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific when Singapore hosts the annual APEC Summit in 2009. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH),accompanied by the DCM, met separately with Foreign Minister George Yeo, Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, and Economic Development Board (EDB) Acting Managing Director Gong Wee Lik during his visit to Singapore January 13-15, 2008. Rep. Chabot also held a discussion with the American Chamber of Commerce's Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) committee. Taiwan's Legislative Elections -------------- ¶3. (C) Commenting on the results of Taiwan's January 12 legislative elections, Foreign Minister Yeo attributed the poor showing by President Chen Shui-bian,s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to Chen's "overly adventurous" dealings with China. Reflecting Singapore's longstanding unease with Chen's approach to China (reftel),Yeo complained that Chen was "playing dice with the lives of the Taiwanese." He commented that Taiwan voters may not like the opposition KMT, but they were fed up with Chen's "acrobatics." Congressman Chabot, who had recently visited Taiwan, made it clear that the United States is not favoring either the DPP or the KMT in Taiwan elections. Free Trade Agreements -------------- ¶4. (C) FM Yeo said Singapore is pleased that the USG is interested in participating in negotiations on investment and financial services set to commence in February among the "P-4" group of countries (Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, and Brunei) and to explore full participation in the P-4 Free Trade Agreement at some later date. He called such trade arrangements "Lego pieces" that can be used as building blocks for a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP). ¶5. (C) Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang told Rep. Chabot that Singapore's goal when hosting the APEC Summit in 2009 is to make progress toward the FTAAP, using the P-4 as a gold standard, and hoping to attract more members into the P-4 by the time of the Summit. He viewed Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and perhaps Mexico as likely candidates. ¶6. (C) Lim also expressed his hope that U.S. FTA negotiations with Thailand and Malaysia will get back on track and that the Doha Round will be "resuscitated from its deep coma." He commented that the Doha Round can't wait until after the U.S. Presidential election this fall for action. Rep. Chabot underscored his strong support for free trade in all his meetings with GOS officials and with AmCham members. Regional Architecture -------------- ¶7. (C) FM Yeo cited the ASEAN Charter as an example of Singapore's efforts to make Southeast Asia a platform for stability between China and India. Minister Lim also emphasized the importance of interregional groupings such as APEC. Lim praised USTR Ambassador Susan Schwab's contributions in her meetings with ASEAN trade ministers last November, especially her encouragement of improved customs procedures, revised agricultural and pharmaceutical standards, and investment climate surveys. Lim also expressed satisfaction over the progress of the U.S.-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA). Climate Change and the Environment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) FM Yeo asserted that without U.S. leadership, a post-Kyoto accord on climate change is not possible. EDB Acting Managing Director Gong Wee Lik detailed for Rep. SINGAPORE 00000089 002 OF 002 Chabot Singapore's work on environmental research. In particular, the GOS is focused on: biotech, interactive digital technology, and clean technologies, especially water purification systems. ¶9. (U) Rep. Chabot did not have an opportunity to clear this message. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm HERBOLD