On Friday 8 November, Sabine Weyand, head of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade, sealed the terms of an agreement with Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo on the trade dispute concerning wind farms in Taiwan. The European Union called for consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in July 2024, accusing Taiwan of discriminating against foreign companies in the supply of wind turbines (see EUROPE 13463/22).
Taiwan has agreed to no longer impose local content requirements in its future calls for tender. In addition, the country is committed to introducing greater flexibility for the continuation of work with selected companies. In other words, the obligation initially imposed on manufacturers to produce locally has been relaxed.
This amicable agreement between the two parties allows them to avoid resorting to a WTO panel. However, the EU will monitor Taiwan’s compliance with its commitments. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)