The foremost group representing United States business interests in Taiwan called for a resumption of talks on trade and investment between Washington and Taipei.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei said talks should be restarted following Taipei's progress in solving bilateral economic disputes.
"The time is right for the U.S. government to resume regular bilateral economic negotiations with Taiwan under what is known as the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)," it said.
Washington called off the talks in 2002, citing the frustrating lack of movement toward resolving the main issues on the economic agenda's of the two countries, a stand the chamber supported.
"But the Taiwan government appears to have shown a new willingness to focus on economic issues, including many issues of concern to the multinational business community," it said.
In August, the government passed amendments to copyright law that substantially strengthened Taiwan's ability to enforce intellectual property rights. Washington switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has maintained close economic ties with the island.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2004
