Taiwan’s decision not to attend this year’s World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference has no direct impact on its interests, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday during questioning at the Legislature. 

The WTO, the most important international economic and trade organization that Taiwan has joined, holds its Ministerial Conference – its top decision-making body – every two years. Cameroon, host of the 14th conference (MC14), first denigrated Taiwan in its visa nationality field by erroneously designating Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China.” After Taiwan offered flexible solutions, Cameroon’s noncompliance prompted the government to boycott. 

Lin said one key reason for the absence was to prevent such diminishment from becoming precedent, while confirming non-attendance wouldn’t harm Taiwan’s interests. He said, “Regarding our interests, specifically for this Cameroon-hosted conference, we have not suffered any direct impact.”

Lin added that the negotiations ensure it is “unlikely to become a precedent for the future,” instead compelling future host applicants to affirm to the WTO Secretariat that Taiwan is treated equally.

Despite skipping MC14, relevant ministries actively monitored proceedings. The Foreign Ministry, a firm multilateralism supporter, will continue to uphold the WTO-centered, rules-based global trade order with members.