Taiwan applies to join Pacific trade deal days after China

Taiwan has already been discussing the issue informally with the bloc's existing members. - Reuters

TAIPEI (Bloomberg): Taiwan has submitted an application to join a Pacific trade deal, just days after China sent its own request to become a member of the agreement which was once pushed by the U.S. as a way to isolate Beijing and solidify American dominance in the region.

The Taiwanese application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership was sent to New Zealand, according to two people familiar with the situation. Taiwan’s government will announce the decision Thursday (Sept 23) morning, according to one of the people.