To address the evolving international economic and trade landscape, the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations will become a permanent task force. Da-Nien Liu, Director of the Regional Development Study Center at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), said the office’s transition from a temporary task force to a permanent organization is a positive development overall. The office has traditionally relied heavily on personnel seconded from various ministries and agencies. This has resulted in high staff turnover and limited control over resources and performance evaluation, making it difficult to accumulate long-term negotiating experience and expertise. A stable organizational structure would strengthen the continuity and professionalism of Taiwan’s international economic and trade engagement.
As International Trade Issues Grow More Complex, Recruiting and Retaining Talent Is Critical
Liu said the international economic and trade environment is changing rapidly. The agenda has expanded beyond traditional trade negotiations to encompass supply chain restructuring, technology controls, industrial policy, geopolitics, and other complex issues. These developments have raised the level of expertise required for trade negotiators. Making the Office of Trade Negotiations permanent should therefore involve more than simply increasing its authorized staffing. More importantly, Taiwan must build a professional team capable of accumulating experience over the long term and developing an in-depth understanding of international negotiating rules and industry trends.
In the short term, the office could recruit professionals with international trade experience from industry, government, and academia to meet its immediate staffing needs. Over the long term, Taiwan should focus on professional development and institutional capacity-building by establishing a comprehensive system for training trade negotiators and reducing its reliance on temporary secondments.
CPTPP Accession Working Group May Soon Be Formed, Testing Taiwan’s International Negotiating Capacity
Taiwan is continuing its efforts to participate in international economic and trade organizations and regional integration initiatives. Liu noted that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission is expected to meet in Vietnam in November. The meeting could determine whether a working group will be established to advance Taiwan’s accession application. A stable professional workforce and organizational structure are especially important for international negotiations of this duration and complexity.
Making the Office of Trade Negotiations permanent will help address its previous dependence on ministries and agencies for personnel and funding. However, its ability to retain talent will ultimately depend on whether its compensation, benefits, civil service grades, and promotion system are competitive. Professionals with overseas postings and international negotiating experience may seek opportunities in other ministries or agencies if the office fails to offer sufficiently attractive conditions.
Liu said making the Office of Trade Negotiations permanent is only the first step. Taiwan must also establish comprehensive systems for recruiting, deploying, developing, and retaining talent. Only by combining organizational stability with professional expertise can Taiwan strengthen its capacity to navigate shifts in the global economic and trade landscape and participate effectively in international negotiations.
Source: United Daily News (August 28, 2026). Office of Trade Negotiations Plans Organizational Transformation, but Compensation Must Be Competitive. United Daily News. https://udn.com/news/story/6656/9718880