As Minister for Trade Policy, Greg travelled to Taiwan for first in-person trade talks since the pandemic. Greg first visited Taiwan 31 years ago and it has been fantastic to see the growth of this dynamic, vibrant economy. It was great to attend the 25th annual trade talks – Greg has now led four of them as UK Trade Minister!
Greg visited the Port of Taichung to see a UK-Taiwan offshore wind cooperation in action – a reminder that international cooperation on green trade is vital for reaching Net Zero.
During a tour at Delta Electronics, a key Taiwan investor in the UK, the Minister was briefed on the variety of products they produce from EVs to 8K screens, covid screening machines to LED walls for Chelsea FC. Delta Electronics employing people across the UK from East Kilbride to South Wales.
It was a pleasure to meet President Ing-Wen in Taipei to mark 30+ years of UK-Taiwan trade talks. Greg discussed Net Zero, Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 goal and boosting Taiwan investment into the UK. In Taipei Greg also met with Minister Kung on UK support for Taiwan’s green transition, discussed UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt with John Deng and celebrated the 26% increase in trade since 2017 at talks co-hosted with Minister Wang.
Greg also met with The British Office in Taiwan where he addressed the entire Asia Pacific Team of the Department for International Trade virtually. They covered everything from CPTPP to green trade and even Chelsea FC.
The Minister was thrilled to be negotiating the 25th annual UK-Taiwan trade talks with Minister C.C. Chen. These were long talks, but big results were achieved! This year, good progress was made on renewables, technology and on tackling barriers to trade in pharma, whisky, fintech and food. This includes a £5m funding commitment through to 2025 to promote partnerships in tech & innovation.
Following a full-on programme in Taiwan, the Minister, together with HM Trade Commissioner Natalie Black, travelled on to Cambodia.The UK-Cambodia trading relationship supports Cambodia’s development and benefits both countries.
Greg attended the first in-person ASEAN-UK Economic Ministers consultation in Phnom Penh. As part of the summit, Greg took part in a fascinating discussion on women’s economic empowerment with female biz leaders from ASEAN countries. This is an economic issue as much as a social one. Advancing women’s equality could add $12tn to global growth by 2025! Greg was excited to take a ride round Phnom Penh promoting UK interests aboard an all-electric TukTuk and he was interviewed by Channel News Asia.
Together with Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Greg took part in a great panel discussion where they discussed everything from ASEAN's green finance taxonomy to the push towards heat pumps in UK homes. As the first G7 country to legislate Net Zero, it's a cause close to the UK's heart.
Greg also co-chair the first in-person trade meeting and to meet with counterparts from the Philippines and Cambodia as the UK tilts more towards the vibrant Indo-Pacific region.
