June 16, 2023
On June 12, 2023, the Permanent Mission of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was officially notified by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Honduras to the WTO that Honduras would withdraw from the Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Republic of El Salvador, and the Republic of Honduras. The Honduran permanent mission offered as the reason for the withdrawal that “Honduras recognized the principle that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and that the People’s Republic of China government is the only legitimate government representing all of China.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) solemnly condemns such statements, which seriously undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and dignity.
MOFA reiterates that the R.O.C. (Taiwan) is an independent sovereign country. Neither the R.O.C. (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. This is both a reality and the status quo. MOFA also strongly protests Honduras’s withdrawal notification, in which it turns its back on an old ally and sends a message so disrespectful of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Based on Article 18.05 of the Free Trade Agreement, a withdrawal shall become effective 180 days after one party provides written notice to the other party, unless the parties agree on a different period. Accordingly, MOFA will work with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to begin follow-up procedures required to annul the FTA.