Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin thanks US Congress members and other parliamentarians for support following Taiwan’s compelled absence from WTO MC14
Date：2026-03-27
Data Source：Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs
March 27, 2026
No. 116 In response to host country Cameroon’s demeaning designation that compelled Taiwan to be absent from the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), members of the United States Congress from across the political spectrum and legislators from other nations have publicly spoken up for Taiwan’s international participation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses his sincere appreciation for these expressions of support.
Cochair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Mario Díaz-Balart posted on X on March 23 that it was concerning that Cameroon prioritized China’s foreign policy machinations by undermining Taiwan’s status as a separate customs territory at the WTO. He noted that this was yet another example of Beijing’s coercive tactics to deny Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and that this had set a dangerous precedent. He then added that Taiwan was a vital economic and security partner of many countries, including the United States, and affirmed that the United States would continue to advocate for Taiwan’s international participation.
Separately, House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Ro Khanna issued a joint statement on March 25. The statement stressed that Cameroon’s decision to exclude Taiwan from the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference was another troubling example of China’s continued efforts to manipulate multilateral institutions.
They went on to state that Taiwan was a key trading partner of the United States and many countries around the world and that Taiwan’s forced absence from the WTO’s highest decision-making forum for the first time since its accession in 2001 would hamper WTO members’ collective ability to address challenges and chart the future of global trade. They emphasized that Taiwan was a full WTO member and that WTO conference host nations had a long-standing practice of recognizing Taiwan as a separate customs territory.
The statement further underscored that this was not an isolated incident but rather part of Beijing’s continued campaign to exert undue influence over international bodies and marginalize Taiwan. It said that the United States would continue to work with Taiwan and that Taiwan was a model democracy and an economic and technological powerhouse. It called on the WTO to stand up to China’s bullying and facilitate Taiwan’s participation in this Ministerial Conference.
Meanwhile, Eric Bothorel, former Chair of the French National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group, shared related media coverage from Le Figaro and declared that Taiwan was not a province of China in a March 24 post on X.
Minister Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere appreciation for the support and advocacy of international partners. Taiwan will continue to work closely with like-minded WTO members to staunchly safeguard its rights and dignity. (E)